By walking alongside trusted Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs), Aurum Health Systems Division is bridging the gap between conventional healthcare and traditional healing to bring HIV testing directly to communities within the North West Province, in the places they trust most.
Through this initiative, Aurum is distributing HIV self-screening kits (HIVSS) in THPs' consulting rooms, known as "Dumbas" — sacred spaces in many communities where people seek healing, comfort, and guidance. The approach is part of Aurum’s broader commitment to community-led care under the Community ART Programme.
“Traditional Health Practitioners hold deep trust within their communities,” says Trevor Masevhege, Aurum’s Community ART Project Manager. “They are often the first point of contact for people who might otherwise never enter a clinic.”
With formal support from the North West Department of Health’s Special Programmes unit, Aurum began training THPs in 2023. To date, more than 150 practitioners have been equipped with knowledge on HIV, TB, mental health, and HIV self-screening. Following the training, Trevor and Assistant Director Masitenyane Tebello visited selected THPs across Ngaka Modiri Molema (NMM), Dr Kenneth Kaunda (DKK), and Bojanala districts to assess readiness for HIVSS distribution.
The results were encouraging. Many THPs already work closely with their local clinics or serve on clinic committees. Their Dumbas — typically spacious, private, and well-maintained — provide ideal conditions for safe and confidential self-testing. Each participating THP was supplied with HIVSS kits, registers, consent forms, and guidelines, with plans to scale up kit provision based on demand.
In NMM alone, 297 kits have already been distributed, with 17 reactive results referred for confirmatory testing. In DKK, early rollout has seen 90 kits distributed, while Bojanala’s implementation is now underway. The target is ambitious but attainable: at least 10 THPs per district, each distributing a minimum of 30 kits a month.
By blending traditional wisdom with modern science, Aurum is transforming access to healthcare and building a stronger, more inclusive system for all.
As Trevor puts it, “Innovation doesn’t always mean technology. Sometimes, it’s about listening deeply, respecting cultural knowledge, and creating solutions with the community, not just for them.”
With every test distributed and every life touched, this partnership affirms Aurum’s commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in the fight against HIV and TB.
