South Africa

Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF)

The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) is internationally acclaimed for its contributions to HIV and TB research. DTHF is a not-for-profit organization and operates in an integrated and synergistic manner with the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre (DTHC) within the University of Cape Town (UCT). Together they form a Centre of Excellence focusing on research, community awareness and resource development in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and TB. Over the past five years, DTHF faculty and researchers have published more than 300 papers.

DTHF’s main research activities are divided into the following research divisions, all of which are available for potential GloCal fellows as projects allow: HIV Treatment and Prevention; Adolescent Health; Socio-Behavioural Sciences; Tuberculosis; Women and Reproductive Health; Men’s’ Health; Sexual Health; Key Populations. In addition, DTHF has recently established a research site in Buffalo City Metro Health District (BCM), Eastern Cape (EC) Province. DTHF-EC aims to support and add to the growing research infrastructure and output from this historically underserved province.

Though DTHF became a new GloCal research site in South Africa in 2021, its site lead is Dr. Andrew Medina-Marino, who was the site lead for Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), GloCal’s previous research site in South Africa. GloCal fellows will have access to world-class field research sites in both Cape Town and BCM, community-engagement and administrative support, implementation and data management support, as well as high speed internet.

Site contact: Dr. Andrew Medina-Marino