Posted on: 15 November 2022
Ms Nomagugu Simelane, KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council for Health, headed a South African delegation on a visit to Mortimer Market Centre, reflecting on policy for LGBTQI+ healthcare.
Dr Rita Browne, CNWL’s Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine and Dominic Reilly, PrEP Programme Manager welcomed the South African official and accompanying delegation, discussing best-practice in sexual health, HIV and the delivery of care for the LGBTQI+ community. They were also joined by Nadia Ahmed, Consultant HIV and Sexual Health Physician.
Dr Browne said: "The discussions were so wide ranging, with fascinating suggestions and insights into how to develop sexual health services welcoming for this community.”
The delegation, consisting of four people, included Ms Noluthando Nkosi (Head of Ministry), Ms Penny Msimang (Deputy Director General, Clinical Services) and Mr Agiza Hlongwane (Speech Writer for the Member of the Executive Council).
Ms Simelane said: “It makes sense to visit a country that has been doing this work for a while so we can benchmark and learn what we should do, understanding what elements we need to put into our clinics.”
The South African delegation enjoyed a tour of the clinic, and they were briefed on implementing youth friendly services and working with adolescents, as well as peer navigators and community outreach.
Peer Support Worker, Fernando Monteiro, who has been living with HIV since 1991 and started working at Mortimer Centre in 2019, spoke about recruiting peer members and support groups.
“Until you work with peer support workers you don’t know the benefits. It’s about showing people a diversity of experiences and bringing role models and role modelling.”
