UCT Runs Advanced HIV Adherence Training at Groote Schuur Hospital

The University of Cape Town is strengthening frontline HIV care on 21 August 2026 through an Advanced HIV and Adherence Counselling course at Groote Schuur Hospital, focusing on one of the most important challenges in long-term antiretroviral treatment: helping patients stay consistently engaged with their medication. The CPD-accredited programme introduces healthcare professionals to the evidence-based “Life Steps” intervention, a structured counselling approach that combines education, problem-solving and practical planning to identify the psychological, social and day-to-day barriers that can interrupt treatment. These barriers may include stigma, depression, unstable living conditions, transport difficulties, medication side effects, forgetfulness and competing family or work responsibilities, all of which can affect viral suppression when not addressed early. The course is aimed at counsellors, nurses, community health workers, psychologists, social workers and medical officers, reflecting the fact that successful HIV care depends on coordinated support across different parts of the health system rather than medication alone. By equipping healthcare workers with practical tools to understand why a patient may struggle with adherence and to develop realistic solutions together, the training aims to strengthen treatment continuity, reduce the risk of virological failure and drug resistance, and support better long-term health outcomes for people living with HIV. The initiative also highlights South Africa’s continuing shift towards more patient-centred HIV care, where behavioural medicine, communication and trust are treated as essential components of effective treatment rather than secondary considerations.