South Africa: Providing healthcare to men who have sex with men is complex but possible

Research has shown that addressing HIV in certain key populations is a priority in order to end the epidemic in the general population.

Key populations are groups identified by the World Health Organisation that warrant specific attention in health programmes because they face a particularly high risk of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. They are also marginalised and do not have good access to health services.

One of these groups is men who have sex with men (MSM). It is critical to ensure that they are able to get access to HIV prevention and treatment services.

But in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, men who have sex with men encounter stigma and prejudice when they use health services. This often limits their access to healthcare.

Our research shows that it’s possible to provide good quality care in the public sector to men who have sex with men. Read more via the Conversation