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What We Do

Wits RHI is a hybrid research and implementation Institute that is dynamic, progressive, and responsive to global and local health emergencies. We pioneer cutting-edge science and innovation in the fields of infectious and vaccine preventable diseases; sexual and reproductive health; antimicrobial resistance,climate change and emerging crises.

Our strength lies in our multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to improving health outcomes at a local and global level through research, technical assistance, advocacy, policy development, implementation science and health systems strengthening. We identify health problems through sound epidemiological methods and qualitative research, and use a range of analytic and research methods to generate evidence and test and evaluate interventions in a real word setting.

We are a part of the the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), a world class African University.  We are its largest institute.

We are a Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) collaborating centre and a strategic partner to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

 

Who We Serve

Our work is focused on populations that are most in need, marginalized, or hard to reach. These include:

  • Pregnant women and mother-infant pairs
  • Women
  • Key populations including adolescents, sex workers and LGBTQI people
  • Adults and children living with HIV and TB

Wits RHI in Numbers

Staff Members
2500+
Research and Implementation Sites
50
Current Active Grants
95
Academic Joint Appointments
51
Provides technological support to national, regional, and global committees (2023)
128
Published academic journals and book chapters (2023)
111
People initiated onto PrEP (2018 – 2024)
330000
People treated monthly for HIV (2023)
650000

Wits RHI Stories

Wits RHI’s Contribution to Global HIV Awareness Featured on German TV for World AIDS Day

On 1 December 2024, Wits RHI was proudly featured on Weltspiegel, a German news program on Das Erste, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat HIV and support communities living with AIDS in South Africa. This special feature, titled “South Africa: Everyday Life with AIDS”, showcased the critical role of local healthcare workers,

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Operation Gophelega : Strengthening HIV and TB Services in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Districts

Innovating Healthcare Delivery. Launched in January 2022, Operation Gophelega is one of Wits RHI’s flagship initiatives, funded by PEPFAR and the CDC. Focused on enhancing HIV and TB care in Gauteng’s Tshwane and Ekurhuleni districts, this program collaborates closely with local health services to implement innovative healthcare solutions.

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UNAIDS Report Highlights the Importance of Upholding Human Rights to End the AIDS Pandemic

On 1 December 2024, the global community came together to observe World AIDS Day under the theme “Take the Rights Path.” This theme highlights the critical importance of protecting human rights in the fight against HIV and achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. The latest UNAIDS report underscores how safeguarding human rights leads...

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Latest Publications

Impact of single-dose HPV vaccination on HPV 16 and 18 prevalence in South African adolescent girls with and without HIV

Authors

Delany-Moretlwe S, Machalek DA, Travill D, Petoumenos K, Nyemba DC, Mbulawa ZZA, Ndlovu N, Kaldor JM, Rees H. (2024)

Abstract

The World Health Organization has endorsed single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, but data on the impact on HPV prevalence in high HIV burden settings are limited.

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Impact of single-dose HPV vaccination on HPV 16 and 18 prevalence in South African adolescent girls with and without HIV

Delany-Moretlwe S, Machalek DA, Travill D, Petoumenos K, Nyemba DC, Mbulawa ZZA, Ndlovu N, Kaldor JM, Rees H. (2024)

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of heat exposure impacts on maternal, fetal and neonatal health

Lakhoo DP, Brink N, Radebe L, Craig MH, Pham MD, Haghighi MM, Wise A, Solarin I, Luchters S, Maimela G, Chersich MF, Heat-Health Study Group & HIGH Horizons Study Group.…

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HIV DNA Levels in Persons Who Acquired HIV in the Setting of Long-Acting Cabotegravir for HIV Prevention: Analysis of Cases from HPTN 083 and 084

Fogel JM, Persaud D, Piwowar-Manning E, Richardson P, Szewczyk J, Marzinke MA, Wang Z, Guo X, McCauley M, Farrior J, Tran HV, Ungsedhapand C, Mathew CA, Mpendo J, Rinehart AR,…

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South African Parents’ and Grandparents’ Perspectives on the Acceptability of Implant Delivery of Treatment to Young Children with HIV

Hawley I, Baez A, Scorgie F, Fairlie L, Mathebula F, Cottrell ML, Johnson LM, Montgomery ET.(2024)

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Wits RHI in the News

The Lancet’s editorial, “Triumphs and Threats: HIV in 2024” (Volume…

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Groundbreaking research led by Professor Sinead Delany-Moretlwe of Wits RHI,…

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Wits RHI is proud to be a part of the…

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Our Donors and Partners

Meet our Donors and Partners