South Africa tracks HIV prevention with digital system
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Health workers in South Africa are using a digital system called SyNCH to track patients receiving lenacapavir, or LEN, a six-monthly HIV prevention injection, across different clinics.
In June, South Africa began distributing LEN, but officials realized counting first doses wasn’t enough to measure success. SyNCH, originally designed for managing chronic disease medications, now records when patients receive LEN, allowing healthcare workers to view a person’s dose history at any connected clinic.
This system helps officials monitor uptake of LEN across different demographics and locations, identifying areas where more support is needed. The data feeds into a dashboard which shows trends in LEN use, allowing them to see if certain groups are being missed or if clinics are running low on supplies. While South Africa hasn't yet built a complete national electronic patient record, SyNCH demonstrates the benefits of sharing patient information between clinics.
By 15 October, nearly 79,000 people had received their first LEN dose, and the first group due for their second dose will receive it in early December. The system’s ability to track repeat doses is crucial, as the program's success depends on patients returning for their injections every six months. The Health Systems Trust developed SyNCH in partnership with the national health department, building upon existing digital infrastructure rather than creating a new system from scratch.
