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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

Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Our Drivers – The Lifeline of Wits RHI

We take immense pride in the hard work and dedication of our unsung heroes, and today, we shine a well-deserved spotlight on our drivers. Though their contributions often go unnoticed, they are essential to the success of our organization. Their role is critical in ensuring that research materials, medications, participants, and equipment reach their destinations

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APACE: Accelerating Program Achievements to Control the Epidemic, Lejweleputswa District

Advancing HIV & TB Care in Lejweleputswa with APACE. Despite South Africa’s progress in HIV treatment, many people still struggle to access care. The APACE program is helping to close this gap, particularly for adolescents, young women, and people with advanced HIV. It is moving us closer to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals and

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CHANCE Webinar: Pursuing Mitigation in Healthcare – A Call for Socio-Ecological Transformation

Wits RHI is pleased to announce the upcoming CHANCE webinar, scheduled for 4th December 2024. This event will focus on healthcare sustainability and explore a case study on greening healthcare supply chains in Africa. Webinar Details Topic: Pursuing Mitigation in Healthcare: A Call for Socio-Ecological Transformation Speakers:

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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

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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Wits RHI joined a breast cancer awareness event in Glen…

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Our Donors and Partners

Meet our Donors and Partners