Neftaly: Strengthening HIV Prevention, and Reducing Tuberculosis and COVID-19 Impact
At Neftaly (South African Youth Project), we are dedicated to advancing public health through inclusive, community-driven interventions. Recognising the interconnected burden of HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and COVID-19, our work focuses on prevention, education, early detection, treatment support, and resilience building within vulnerable and underserved communities.
We address these diseases not in isolation, but through integrated approaches that strengthen health systems, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to protect their health and that of others.
Program Objectives
- Prevent new HIV infections through youth-focused education, awareness campaigns, and access to prevention tools.
- Reduce TB morbidity and mortality by promoting early detection, treatment adherence, and stigma reduction.
- Mitigate the impact of COVID-19, particularly in resource-limited communities, through education, vaccination promotion, and behavioral change communication.
- Promote health equity by reaching rural, peri-urban, and high-risk populations with essential services.
Core Areas of Intervention
1. HIV Prevention and Support
- Life-skills-based sexual and reproductive health education.
- HIV Testing Services (HTS) and linkage to care and treatment.
- Awareness campaigns promoting PrEP, condom use, and risk reduction.
- Empowerment of youth ambassadors to champion safe behaviours and reduce stigma.
2. Tuberculosis Control
- Community-based TB screening and symptom awareness.
- Referral systems for diagnosis and treatment initiation.
- Support for TB patients to complete treatment through counselling and follow-up.
- Training of community health workers to identify and refer suspected TB cases.
3. COVID-19 Response
- Public education on COVID-19 prevention, vaccination, and myth-busting.
- Distribution of sanitizers, masks, and PPE in schools and informal settlements.
- Vaccination promotion campaigns, especially targeting hesitant populations.
- Support for mental health and resilience amid pandemic-related disruptions.
4. Integrated Service Delivery
- Combined HIV/TB/COVID-19 screening campaigns.
- Digital health messaging via SMS, WhatsApp, and social media to reach youth with accurate health information.
- Mobile outreach teams providing testing, education, and support services directly in communities.
Our Results So Far
- Reached 35,000+ people with health information and services across all three disease areas.
- Delivered integrated testing and education campaigns in 12 high-burden communities.
- Trained 150+ peer educators and health advocates to lead grassroots mobilisation.


