​Qaqambile Mdledle​
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, together with the MEC for Health, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, conducted a site visit to the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) offices and projects housed in the Hillbrow Health Precinct on Tuesday, 20 April 2021.
The facility was reconstructed into a world first health precinct addressing reproductive health, primary healthcare and cutting- edge research around issues of HIV/ AIDS, poverty and infectious diseases. It has been involved in innovative research in key focus areas which include HIV, Sexual Reproductive Health and Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
This year, Wits RHI celebrates 27 years of an unparalleled track record of conducting world class research, implementing sustainable health programmes and contributing to health policy.
Premier Makhura said Covid-19 pandemic had become the leading societal concern, it had shown that the public health concern was not only a medical problem, but affected the society, becoming the leading scientific concern.
"The province policy response to the COVID-19 is guided by science and we have to draw experience on how the province was able to handle other pandemics like HIV/AIDS, it is science that provides the greatest hope of a long-term solution," he said.
He then proceeded to the newly renovated eight-storey building which houses several projects servicing the Hillbrow community, as well as the inner city, with multiple research projects and COVID-19 studies.
The facility includes lab, mobile services providing COVID-19 anti-bodies and testing only pregnant women within the Precinct.