From Mahala Flats to the Taxi Rank - SANPUD Marks Africa Day by Keeping Health Services Within Reach

As Africa Day is commemorated across the continent, SANPUD highlights the everyday work that keeps health services close to people who use drugs — especially in moments when conditions shift and support becomes harder to access.

Responding To Crisis Conditions In Gauteng

Earlier this year, the SANPUD Medical Linkage Officer in Gauteng visited Mahala Flats at a time when living conditions were deteriorating quickly.

Rooms were crowded, health was declining, and many residents were carrying untreated mental health challenges.

The visit showed how fragile stability can be for people who use drugs, and how easily care can fall out of reach.

The officer listened, assessed and made referrals where possible, focusing on what could be done immediately without overwhelming people already under strain.

The aim was simple: respond to what was in front of people and keep care close.

One woman stood out.

She had defaulted on antiretroviral treatment and Opioid Substitution Therapy after losing both her mother and sister in a short space of time.

Grief had pushed her out of care, and she was trying to manage alone.

The Medical Linkage Officer supported her return to treatment by referring her to the Community Oriented Substance Use Programme site at Bosman Street for methadone and counselling — a steady step taken at her pace and without pressure.

“Meeting people where they are is often the first step in helping someone reconnect with care.”

Addressing Barriers To Treatment Access

At national level, SANPUD’s Technical Advisor continued work to address the barriers that make it difficult for people to stay on Opioid Agonist Therapy.

He raised concerns about inconsistent methadone supply, rigid dispensing schedules and the lack of psychosocial support at some sites.

He also highlighted the impact of missed doses and the administrative delays that make it difficult for people to re-enter treatment after interruptions.

By bringing real cases from crisis visits into these discussions, he helped shift attention from policy statements to practical steps clinics and partners can take to stabilise access.

Community-Based Care In Bushbuckridge

In Bushbuckridge, the PWUD SubSector National Deputy Chairperson and Country Coordinating Mechanism Alternate Member joined the Taxi Rank Health Services Delivery Campaign alongside Local Drug Action Committee and Community Safety Forum partners.

Together, they brought screening, counselling and linkage-to-care services directly to a high-traffic public space.

People received support without needing to navigate long queues or unfamiliar clinics.

The campaign showed how accessible care becomes when services are taken to places where people already are.

Continuing The Work Of Community-Led Support

As Africa Day reminds us of the importance of dignity, inclusion and community-led solutions, SANPUD continues to remain present in the places where people who use drugs face the greatest barriers.

The organisation responds to crises, supports access to treatment and works alongside partners in public spaces where care is needed most.

This steady presence keeps support within reach, even as conditions shift and the work of staying connected to care continues.