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Healthy heroes

Two managers of a community health centre in Mpumalanga have received the Frontline Heroes for Health award in New York

The award was presented to Kgomotso Kwenje and Dr Gilbert Khosa,  who co-manage the Bhubezi Community Health Centre in Bushbuckridge,  Mpumalanga.

It was presented to them by Anglo American chief executive, Cynthia Carroll, and founder and chairman of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, at the 10th Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Awards Dinner in the USA.

“We hope that this global recognition will encourage many more partnerships like ours,” said Kwenje.

Khosa said more than 130,000 patients had been treated at the health centre and that this had revolutionised the way the community understood the concept of healthcare.

 “Importantly, HIV positive patients now recognise that antiretroviral treatment can drastically improve their quality of life,” he said.

“We look forward to continuing our work to ensure all healthcare  facilities receive antiretroviral treatment.”   

Carroll said the success of Bhubezi emphasised the power of effective collaboration between business, the community and government in an effort to strengthen healthcare systems.    

“We remain committed to fostering deep partnerships with a broad  range of stakeholders so that we can continue to drive positive outcomes in health,” she said.

Branson commended Kwenje and Khosa for their “tireless” commitment. “Gilbert and Kgomotso both realised that local people would have  to step up to the plate in the fight against the twin scourge of HIV and TB.

“We feel the true spirit and passion comes from the frontline heroes who are at the heart and soul of so many of our efforts in supporting and uplifting communities around the world.”   

Anglo American chief medical officer Dr Brian Brink said the company had recognised that an improvement in the healthcare provided to communities could help improve their social and economic prosperity.

Bhubezi was established in 2007 as a collaboration between the community, the government and business. It was supported by USAID/PEPFAR — the US President’s Emergency  Plan for AIDS Relief — the South African health department, the Ndlovu Care Group, Anglo American and Virgin Unite.   

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