Two Decades of Transforming Healthcare
Since 2001, Right to Care has played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare systems, expanding access to treatment, and improving public health outcomes in South Africa and beyond. Our journey began with a focus on HIV and AIDS care, but our mission quickly grew to include tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, Hepatitis C, gender-based violence response, and global health system strengthening. From pioneering the first public HIV treatment programmes to developing cutting-edge digital health solutions, we continue to redefine healthcare innovation with each passing year.
Key Milestones in Our Journey
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Founded by Professor Ian Sanne in Johannesburg as a non-profit, with the goal of securing affordable antiretroviral treatment (ART) and enabling public HIV/AIDS treatment programmes. |
| 2002 | USAID became Right to Care’s first major funder, supporting rapid growth into a well-established donor-funded NGO. |
| 2005 | South Africa reached over 5 million HIV-positive individuals, the highest rate globally. |
| 2006 | Supported over 10,000 patients on ART. |
| 2009 | Provided HIV counseling and testing to more than 200,000 South Africans; surpassed 100,000 public patients in HIV clinical care. |
| 2010 | Staff grew to 500. Awarded a principal grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Transitioned from direct service delivery to technical assistance for the National Department of Health. Launched the innovative Right ePharmacy supply chain management programme. |
| 2011 | Aligned efforts with the National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs, and TB; began supporting the Department of Correctional Services for inmate health. |
| 2012 | Selected as the primary partner for USAID’s Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision program; signed the PERFORM bilateral cooperative agreement with USAID. |
| 2014 | Supported the rollout of Bedaquiline, the first new tuberculosis drug in 40 years. |
| 2015 | Became principal recipient of a Global Fund grant targeting HIV among key populations, including men who have sex with men, transgender people, and people who inject drugs. |
| 2016 | Expanded operations beyond South Africa, working in 17 countries through the EQUIP consortium under PEPFAR and USAID. |
| 2017 | Performed its one-millionth medical male circumcision. Formed QODE™ with the Foundation for Professional Development to enhance program data systems. |
| 2018 | Launched the first ‘ATM pharmacy’ in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Established Right Clinic to innovate primary healthcare, launching its first clinic in Cosmo City. Received a PEPFAR-USAID grant to accelerate the HIV response in South Africa. |
| 2019 | Trained over 1,000 healthcare workers on Dolutegravir. Introduced ‘situation rooms’ for real-time program monitoring and rapid intervention. |
| 2020 | Supported the Department of Health with the national Coronavirus response. |
Our Impact
- Expanded Scope: From HIV/AIDS to tuberculosis, STIs, Hepatitis C, gender-based violence, and health system strengthening.
- Innovation: Pioneered digital health solutions, including pharmacy automation and data-driven program management.
- Global Reach: Evolved from a South African NGO to a leader in health innovation across Africa and globally.
Board of Directors
Shauket Fakie
Zeenat Dasoo
Dr Brian Brink
Dr Eula Mothibi
Dr Victor Litlhakanyane
Nosipho Simelane
Nonhlanhla Nyewula
Be Part of the change
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a donor, or a concerned citizen, there’s a place for you in our mission.
Shauket Fakie
Qualifications: CA
Shauket Fakie is a non-executive director of Right to Care and a member of the audit and risk committee. He has over 40 years of experience in accounting, auditing, consulting and advisory work locally and internationally. Shauket Fakie was South Africa’s Auditor-General for seven years.
He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants. As chairperson of the panel of United Nations auditors, he contributed significantly to enhancing the standards and quality of United Nations audits. In 2007 he took on the role of group executive for Business Risk Management at MTN until his retirement in 2015. He also serves as non-executive director of MTN and Allianz.
Zeenat Dasoo
Qualifications:LLB (Wits), BProc (Wits)
Zeenat Dasoo is employed at IBM South Africa as the legal counsel for trust and compliance. She has served on the Board of Afrika Tikkun Services and was a ministerial appointee on the council of the South West Gauteng College.
She was an attorney at Cheadle Thompson and Haysom Inc. from 1999 until 2004. She then joined Webber Wentzel, specialising in corporate law and governance. She has also completed law programmes at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of South Africa.
Dr Brian Brink
Qualifications:BSc (Med), MBBCh, Hons DMed (Wits)
Dr Brian Brink worked for the Anglo-American Group for 33 years and retired as chief medical officer at the end of 2014. During his tenure at Anglo, he advised group companies on occupational health, employee health and wellbeing, disease management, employee and family health, and health systems strengthening in disadvantaged communities.
He has served on the boards of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the South African National AIDS Council Trust. He is a director of Discovery Limited and the New York-based International Women’s Health Coalition. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in medicine by the University of the Witwatersrand.
Dr Eula Mothibi
Qualifications: MD: Medicine and Surgery, FCP: Internal Medicine, Dip HIV Man, Certificate in Public Management
Dr. Eula Mothibi joined Right to Care in 2020 as Executive Director of Right to Care International and a board member, bringing 27 years of executive and technical expertise in clinical internal medicine and public health systems. Specializing in HIV, TB, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), she has strengthened health systems across Africa through her leadership in HIV medicine and public health services. Prior to this role, she served as Chief Operations Officer at Kheth’Impilo AIDS Free Living in the Western Cape.
Dr Victor Litlhakanyane
Qualifications: MBCHB, MMed, an MBA and numerous postgraduate qualifications in health from institutions in SA and internationally
Dr. Victor Litlhakanyane, a seasoned healthcare leader with 35 years of experience, became CEO of Right to Care in September 2023. With 27 years in executive roles, he has shaped South Africa’s healthcare sector through a focus on patient access, operational excellence, and financial sustainability, managing budgets exceeding R3 billion and leading over 16,000 personnel. A qualified radiation and clinical oncologist (MBCHB, MMed, MBA), he began his career in the Free State Department of Health, where he spearheaded healthcare transformation and later served as Superintendent General. He held key roles at Netcare as COO, founded Ditau Health Solutions, established St Stephen Oncology Centre, and as MD of Health at Bigen Group, expanded its hospital projects across Africa. Currently, he also chairs the Life Healthcare Board of Directors.
Nosipho Simelane
Qualifications: BComm (Wits)
Nosipho Simelane is employed at Oracle South Africa as the Africa sales director for Oracle University. Before joining Oracle, she was the technology support services lead for IBM’s South African operations. She began her career with Hewlett-Packard, where she worked in its Enterprise and Services businesses. She then joined Microsoft, where she served in the transactional volume division. She also holds a Management Advancement Programme certificate from Wits Business School.
Nonhlanhla Nyewula
Qualifications: BSc (UKZN), BComm (Hons)(UKZN), CA (SA), Mining Tax Certificate (UNISA), Certified Director (IoDSA)
Nonhlanhla Nyewula joined Right to Care in August 2017 and is responsible for Right to Care’s financial strategy and performance and its risk management strategy. She has a wealth of financial experience and considerable business acumen. Her experience crosses a range of sectors and covers start-ups and mature organizations. She is a former chief financial officer of Kalagadi Manganese (Pty) Ltd, a black, woman-owned manganese mining company, and Mhlathuze Water Board. Ms Nyewula has also worked at IBM, Deloitte and Unilever.