Strengthening interoperable health technologies and data systems to improve care delivery across South Africa’s provinces.

As a strategic partner of South Africa’s Ministry of Health, PATH is supporting the development of robust, interoperable digital health systems. Through the Digital Square initiative, with support from the Gates Foundation, PATH is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the Health Patient Registration System and its Electronic Medical Record for TB and HIV modules (April–December 2025). This assessment evaluates the system's functional and technical performance, alignment with interoperability standards, and ability to exchange data with other health information systems.

Through the Optimization of Data Systems and Digital Health project (March 2021–December 2024), PATH partnered with Mobile Applications Laboratory to develop breakthrough digital health innovations addressing critical HIV/TB challenges. Our collaborative approach enabled the development of a digital platform for TB treatment adherence and the establishment of “Pelebox” smart medication pickup points in townships, directly addressing access barriers by making TB treatment more accessible without requiring patients to travel long distances to health facilities. In 2022, PATH conducted an HIV digital health landscape assessment in South Africa's two most populous provinces, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, delivering actionable recommendations to strengthen digital health ecosystems.

Developing and introducing lifesaving technologies and evidence-based practices to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

Through the Unitaid-funded SAFEStart+ project (2025–2029), PATH is partnering with Ezintsha to drive adoption of comprehensive and integrated elimination programs for vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus within antenatal and postnatal care platforms in South Africa and 18 other countries. Activities focus on innovative models of care—specifically pharmacies—for integrated screening and case identification, including building out care pathways for hepatitis B treatment in pharmacy settings.

In collaboration with South African manufacturer Sinapi Biomedical, PATH developed the Ellavi Uterine Balloon Tamponade, the first of its kind specifically designed for managing severe postpartum hemorrhage in low-resource settings. This fully assembled system applies optimal pressure to stop bleeding quickly and is estimated to be capable of saving as many as 169,000 lives by 2030.

The USAID-funded Khusela project (2010) took a comprehensive approach to preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, resulting in more than 66,000 pregnant women attending their first antenatal care visit, 60,000 receiving HIV testing, 9,000 initiating antiretroviral prophylaxis, and 17,000 HIV-exposed babies receiving treatment. PATH's Maternal and Newborn Health Technology Initiative, funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies and established in 2007, took an integrated approach to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths in KwaZulu-Natal Province by introducing lifesaving technologies, including newborn resuscitation equipment, standardized practices for skilled birth attendants, and oxytocin in Uniject™ devices.

PATH's Thogomelo project (2009), meaning "to care for" in Venda, increased the knowledge, abilities, and psychosocial well-being of community caregivers who care for children affected by HIV/AIDS. The project’s resources were adopted by the National Department of Health, and its Skills Development Programme materials were integrated into the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority.

Advancing innovations in reproductive health, HIV prevention, and comprehensive care solutions designed with and for women.

In 2016, PATH conducted a user acceptability study to investigate microarray patches for the delivery of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among women and health care providers in South Africa. The study provided critical information on design and delivery systems for ideal HIV prevention solutions that are discreet, long-acting, highly effective, and self-administered. Through the Microbicide R&D to Advance HIV Prevention Technologies through Responsive Innovation and eXcellence (MATRIX) project, PATH worked with three major South African research institutions—the Aurum Institute, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, and Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute—to develop innovative HIV prevention products.

Supporting breakthrough technologies and comprehensive solutions for both communicable diseases (HIV, TB, viral hepatitis) and noncommunicable diseases through partnerships that strengthen local innovation capacity.

The Global Health Innovation Accelerator (2017–2022), a collaboration between the South African Medical Research Council and PATH, identified and categorized 28 promising health innovation projects. The accelerator supported developments like the Umbiflow (a low-cost Doppler ultrasound that reduces stillbirths) and Iyeza Health (a medication delivery service bringing lifesaving prescriptions from public health facilities directly to patients' homes).

Influencing health policy development, regulatory frameworks, and resource mobilization to strengthen South Africa's health system.

PATH's advocacy through the Center for Advocacy and Policy resulted in the adoption of South Africa's National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation, which prioritizes health research and development, and influenced the legislation that established the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), including its commitment to regional regulatory harmonization. Through the South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition (SAHTAC), PATH works with partners to track SAHPRA implementation and hold stakeholders accountable for greater transparency and public engagement.

Investing in South African innovators, strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, and ensuring locally driven solutions.

PATH's Diagnostics program, through the Boosting Local Supply Security Initiative, developed investment cases for South African diagnostics manufacturers including MEDITECH South Africa, Antrum Biotech, Amasu Technologies, and Cape Biologix, strengthening the capacity of local companies to develop, manufacture, and distribute quality diagnostic products that meet regional health needs.

Building capacity for disease surveillance, outbreak response, and data-driven decision-making.

PATH's Center of Digital and Data Excellence (CoDE) partnered with FIND to develop Digital Solutions to Support COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test Rollout (dSTARR), creating data standards and improving interoperability of patient and diagnostic data collection platforms across Africa. The project also produced a comprehensive blueprint guide for ministries of health to strengthen digital COVID-19 data management, enabling faster report generation and communication with regional health offices.