The POP INN Clinics offer free sexual health services to Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender People (TG) in 5 districts across South Africa.
The Clinics provide a safe space for Key Populations Communities to receive counselling, screening for HIV, STIs, and TB, receive PrEP or ART, and to receive psychosocial support services inclusive of gender-affirming health care and hormonal therapy.
The Clinics also provide free Wi-Fi access, computers, and a comfortable space to relax and connect with peers.
The POP INN Clinics were developed as a tailored response to the unique health care and psycho-social needs of MSM and TGW individuals.
Mainstream services do not cater to Key Populations’ needs, which is further compounded by stigma and a lack of awareness of LGBTQI+ health needs.
The need for community-led healthcare response and prevention interventions provides a much-needed avenue for safe and stigma-free healthcare for our community members.
We are led by the community for the community, our community members staff and lead our program
As part of the Mpowerment model, the POP INN Centres have created Core Groups comprising peer champions to link between the clinic activities and our communities.
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We implement the Mpowerment model, which is aimed exclusively at the holistic health and psycho-social well-being for MSM.
DownloadAccess to healthcare is problematic due to the increased incidence of stigma towards MSM and TG in “normal” clinic environments. MSM and TG do not have the same access to care, in proportion with their need in both urban and rural areas. This is due to increased and persistent levels of stigma and discrimination in social and health care settings across South Africa, which discourages our KP communities from accessing or seeking healthcare services.
In addition, cultural stigma also prevents MSM and TG from self-identifying as MSM and TG when seeking services, as there are by and large a limited number of services that cater for MSM and TG needs.
In response to the unmet needs of our KP communities, The Aurum Institute established four POP INN Clinics.
The fixed clinic sites are in Kempton Park (Ekurhuleni), Loftus Park (City of Tshwane), Nelspruit (Ehlanzeni), Pietermaritzburg (KZN) and Ethekwini (KZN).
The POP INN Centres cater for the specific needs of our MSM and TG communities and fosters a greater sense of belonging and acceptance. Our sites are managed and operated by MSM and TG of the community.
