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What We Do

Wits RHI is a 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; maternal and family 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 Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, a world-class African University.

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, marginalised, or hard to reach. These include:

  • Pregnant women and mother-infant pairs
  • Women and Men
  • Adults and children living with HIV and TB

Wits RHI in Numbers

Staff Members
2000+
Research Appointments in 2024
59
Grants (2024)
75
Published Academic Journals (2024)
102

Leadership

Latest Publications

Southern African HIV Clinicians Society guideline on pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV

Authors

Macdonald P, Nair G, Wattrus C, Mullick S, Pleaner M, Rousseau E, Subedar H, Joseph-Davey D, Hugo J, Delany-Moretlwe S, Bekker L. (2025)

Abstract

This guideline is an update to the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society (SAHCS) 2020 recommendations on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Previous SAHCS guidance was limited to the provision of oral emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) PrEP. This update includes newer PrEP modalities, including the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR) and the long-acting cabotegravir intramuscular injection (CAB-LA). It also introduces upcoming modalities such as the long-acting lenacapavir subcutaneous injection (LEN).

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Southern African HIV Clinicians Society guideline on pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV

Macdonald P, Nair G, Wattrus C, Mullick S, Pleaner M, Rousseau E, Subedar H, Joseph-Davey D, Hugo J, Delany-Moretlwe S, Bekker L. (2025)

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Beyond behavioural change: prioritising structural solutions to control bacterial sexually transmitted infections

Ong JJ, Unemo M, Molina J, Miranda AE, Seib KL, de Mello MB, Doherty M, Johnson CC, Delany-Moretlwe S, Fairley C. (2025)

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Community PrEP delivery for adolescent girls and young women: insights from the DREAMS PrEP Choice Study in Johannesburg, South Africa

Naidoo NP, Mthimkulu N, Jama N, Chidumwa G, Chabalala B, Mhakakora T, Parmley L, Mullick S. (2025)

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Safety, tolerability, and acceptability of long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention in cisgender female adolescents (HPTN 084-01): a single-arm, open-label, phase 2b trial

Stranix-Chibanda L, Hamilton EL, Ngo J, Jiao Y, Hanscom B, Choudhury RP, Agyei Y, Piwowar-Manning E, Marzinke M, Delany-Moretlwe S, Mgodi N, Siziba B, Naidoo I, Mirembe GB, Kamira B,…

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Wits RHI in the News

New Global Role for Prof Helen Rees at the International…

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Fake and sub-standard drugs are rife globally, but in Africa,…

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