International Aids Conference to feature African pop-up clinic solution

Clinic-in-a-Box is revolutionising the prevention and treatment of the virus across 35 countries in Africa by bringing essential medical services to remote communities at the point of need.

MD of Imperial Health Sciences, Dr Iain Barton said pop-up clinics are a lifesaver for people who would otherwise have to walk for hours or even days to receive medical attention. "The company's out of the box solution to one of the world's biggest health epidemics is changing the way the medical profession tackles this crisis in Africa," he said.

The pop-up clinics, which can be assembled in less than three days, are equipped with a range of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of AIDS and HIV as well as other over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and cold and flu tablets. "The clinics don't just treat the sick; qualified nurses also carry out immunisations, HIV testing and provide advice and counselling on HIV prevention."

The solution is easing the pressure on the under-resourced public healthcare systems of African nations. In South Africa alone, almost 90% of the country's population relies on the stretched and unsustainable public system.

While patients of the franchise model of pop-up clinics pay a small consultation fee, the solution saves on travel time and dramatically increases the likelihood they will seek treatment. "We are boosting capacity for healthcare delivery in developing nations, where access to adequate treatment and medication remains one of the biggest challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

The company is one of a growing number of private health providers in Africa, following a decline in international AIDS funding in the wake of the global financial crisis. "Private sector companies can play an important role in partnering with governments and NGOs to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa," said Dr Barton.

The next conference will be held in Durban in 2016.