Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Matthew T. Harrington accompanied by USAID/Southern Africa Mission Director, John Groarke visited the Wits Reproductive Health Institute (WRHI) that is supported by both USAID and CDC under PEPFAR program. WRHI is a unique institution that focuses on HIV, sexual and reproductive health and vaccine preventable diseases.

Wits RHI was established by Professor Helen Rees in 1994, to support the new South African government to formulate and implement new national policies around sexual and reproductive health.

USAID had partnered with WRHI since 2001 and through this partnership, it has implemented large PEPFAR funded programs in support of the South African government to roll-out antiretroviral treatment, initiated over 290, 000 adult and 25,000 pediatric patients onto treatment across four provinces. Lately WRHI is working with the National Deprtment of Health to improve better outcomes for HIV and TB at district level through health systems strengthening. 

To see more pictures of the visit please see this link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize