As South Africa marks World AIDS Day on 1 December, we reflect as a country, not only on how far we have come in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but also on the urgent need to build a more self-sufficient, technology-driven healthcare system — one that does not depend on international aid to survive.
For two decades, much of South Africa’s HIV response has relied heavily on foreign funding, with programmes like PEPFAR and the Global Fund providing billions in support. While this assistance has saved countless lives, experts warn that long-term dependence on donor money has left serious gaps in national health resilience.[i]
According to Tania Joffe, founder of Unu Health, it’s time for South Africans to rethink how we manage our health — and to take back control through innovation, technology, and local solutions.
“We cannot continue to rely indefinitely on the generosity of others to sustain essential health services,” says Joffe. “True healthcare independence comes from developing systems that empower people to manage their own wellbeing — affordably, privately, and with dignity.”
South Africa’s healthcare system faces growing pressure from rising costs, a shortage of healthcare workers, and overburdened public facilities. Millions still queue for hours at clinics for basic screenings or medication refills — an issue that technology could help alleviate.
“The same digital tools that have transformed banking, shopping, and education can transform healthcare access,” Joffe explains. “Telemedicine allows patients to speak to a doctor on their phone, online pathology makes testing faster and more affordable, and digital health platforms can connect South Africans to care instantly — without waiting in a line or missing a day of work.”
Globally, digital health is recognised as one of the most effective ways to close gaps in healthcare access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization, telemedicine consultations can reduce costs by up to 60%, while improving treatment compliance and follow-up rates.[ii]
For South Africa, where an estimated 8.5 million[iii] people are living with HIV, these advances could be game-changing — ensuring continuity of care, especially in remote areas, and protecting patient privacy, which remains a major barrier to testing and treatment.
“Confidentiality and convenience are key,” Joffe notes. “When people can access consultations or lab results from their phone, they’re more likely to stay on treatment and take ownership of their health journey.”
Joffe believes that technology can do more than supplement traditional care — it can create a healthcare ecosystem that is sustainable, inclusive, and locally driven. This means investing in South African-led digital infrastructure and ensuring that citizens have affordable access to tools that put their health data and decisions back into their own hands.
“We have the talent, the technology, and the will,” she adds. “What we need now is a national commitment to use these tools to build a healthcare system that is resilient and self-reliant — one that no longer depends on donor funding to deliver basic care.”
This World AIDS Day the fight against HIV — and against dependence — continues. But with digital innovation and local commitment, South Africa has the power to redefine what healthcare looks like for future generations.
For more information, please visit www.unuhealth.org
Tania Joffe from Unu Health shares her thoughts