By Emily Setona
BLOEMFONTEIN – The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has welcomed the national rollout of the Six-Multi-Month Dispensing (6MMD) programme as a major step forward for people living with HIV, but has warned that strong monitoring systems are essential to prevent treatment lapses.
Speaking to The Guard, TAC/Ritshidze Thabo Mofutsanyana District Community Advocate and TAC Provincial Working Committee member, Moshoeshoe Mofokeng, said the new system would significantly reduce pressure on both clinics and patients.
“This is a huge achievement because it will reduce overcrowding in clinics and cut down the number of trips HIV patients must make to collect their medication,” Mofokeng said.
“People will now go only twice a year, which eases the workload for nurses and encourages better adherence.”
Mofokeng said TAC was proud to have participated in the launch at MUCPP Clinic in Bloemfontein on Thursday, 13 November 2025, where Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae officially introduced the programme.
The 6MMD programme extends antiretroviral (ARV) refills for stable, eligible patients from three to six months, aiming to ease long queues, boost adherence, and improve overall treatment outcomes.While describing the rollout as a “transformative milestone”, Mofokeng cautioned that accountability gaps remain a major concern.
“We are aware that 1.1 million patients traced nationally were found not to be taking their treatment. There must be a stronger system to monitor and ensure adherence now that clinic visits will be less frequent,” he warned.
Minister Motsoaledi reiterated that only patients who have shown consistent treatment adherence will qualify for the extended dispensing schedule.
“Not everyone will be allowed into the six-month dispensing programme. Only those who have demonstrated responsibility in managing their health will qualify,” he said.
Motsoaledi also confirmed that rollout of the Lenacapavir HIV-prevention injection — administered twice a year — is expected to begin by March or April 2026, initially targeting young women aged 16–24 and pregnant women.
Premier Letsoha-Mathae urged communities to safeguard their medication and warned against sharing ARVs.
“The six-month treatment is not for sharing. Tshwanetse le e thlokomele,” she said.
The event was attended by senior provincial health officials, including Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi and Acting Director-General Dr Molefinyana Phera, signalling strong collaboration between government, global partners and community-based advocates such as TAC.
