Data from South Africa highlight the challenge faced by many treatment programmes when it comes to successfully retaining people in HIV care.

The HIV treatment programme in South Africa reaches more people living with HIV than any other in the world, with more than 5 million adults (aged 15 years and older) receiving antiretroviral therapy in 2020. Among the 2.5 million adults living with HIV in South Africa who are not on treatment, a steadily increasing percentage are people who had started treatment but are no longer receiving it.

Efforts to support people on treatment to maintain treatment and achieve durable viral suppression are critical to improving health outcomes, maximizing the preventive benefits of treatment and preventing the emergence of drug-resistant strains of HIV. The World Health Organization recently updated its HIV treatment guidelines with a new recommendation to trace people who have disengaged from care and provide support for re-engagement.