Cape Town 4 December 2015 – JPS Africa was launched in Cape Town last night to continue the fight against HIV & AIDS. With the support and in collaboration with the National Department of Health, Jhpiego Corporation and Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing run programmes that include, but are not limited to, Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis [MDR TB] and Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision [VMMC].

Until recently, this service driven organization fell under the international nonprofit health organization, JHPIEGO, based in Baltimore and an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins University. But the changing donor landscape and unprecedented success of the programmes in South Africa has lead to JPS Africa becoming the first global branch to break away and form an independent entity called JPS Africa.

Having operated as a country office of JHPIEGO for 20 years, JPS Africa stepped out of the shadows at an official launch at the Westin Grand Hotel, attended by representatives from the National Department of Health, the Medical Research Council, the City of Cape Town, the World Health Organization, The Centre for Disease Control (CDC SA) and other health sector partners.

“The transition from being a part of the global organisation to launching JPS Africa has been extremely challenging but also very exciting. JPS Africa’s skills and principles are grounded in the JHPIEGO approach and we will remain a JHPIEGO collaborative partner working throughout South Africa on critical public health matters,” said JPS Africa Managing Director/Country Director Ida Asia

JPS Africa’s donor-funded programmes will continue its work on four major projects: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision where they have achieved over 47,000 medical circumcisions; Multi Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, which share a common goal of increasing access to high-quality HIV and AIDS prevention services in South Africa; Early Warning Indicators of HIV Drug-Resistance; and Contraception and Fertility Planning.

“Looking ahead, JPS Africa aims to meet key, national targets set out in South Africa’s National Strategic Plan and other HIV/AIDS policy statements,” said Asia.

“We will strive to provide a comprehensive, rights-based approach to HIV/AIDS programming that is cognisant of the need for effective integration of services including TB/HIV, family planning, child health, human rights and gender issues.”