Logo:
Name of Organisation:
Treatment Action Campaign
Address:
TAC National Office
34 Main Road
Muizenberg, Cape Town
7945
South Africa
Telephone:
+27 (21) 788 3507
Website:
www.tac.org.za
Email:
info@tac.org.za
Fax:
+27 (21) 788 3726
Type:
National
Countries where operating:
South Africa
Mission / Vision Statement:
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) was launched on 10 December 1998, International Human Rights Day. Its main objective is to campaign for greater access to HIV treatment for all South Africans, by raising public awareness and understanding about issues surrounding the availability, affordability and use of HIV treatments.
Objectives
The TAC's objectives are as follows:
1. Campaign for equitable access to affordable treatment for all people with HIV/AIDS;
2. Campaign for and support the prevention and elimination of all new HIV infections;
3. Promote and sponsor legislation to ensure equal access to social services for and equal treatment of all people with HIV/AIDS;
4. Challenge by means of litigation, lobbying, advocacy and all forms of legitimate social mobilisation, any barrier or obstacle, including unfair discrimination, that limits access to treatment for HIV/AIDS in the private and public sector;
5. Educate, promote and develop an understanding and commitment within all communities of developments in HIV/AIDS treatment and care;
6. Campaign for access to affordable health care for all people in South Africa;
7. Train and develop a representative and effective leadership of people living with HIV/AIDS on the basis of equality and non-discrimination irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, sex, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status or any other ground.
8. Campaign for an effective regional and global network comprising of organisations with similar aims and objectives.
Treatment Project: 600 people die in South Africa of AIDS-related illnesses every day. Most of these lives can be saved with antiretroviral medicines (ARVs). The TAC Treatment Project will provide antiretroviral therapy to an equal number of TAC activists and community members.
Government estimates that half a million people need ARVs today. Fewer than one percent of these people have access to these medicines and they are mostly in the private sector.
After a long struggle, Government has decided to develop an antiretroviral treatment plan. However, it will take a long time for the programme to reach every part of the country. Until treatment becomes available everywhere, the TAC Treatment Project will contribute to saving lives. Our ability to do this will depend on your support.
We will provide generic ARVs as well as counselling and treatment support. The TAC TP aims to provide treatment to 50 activists and community members by the end of 2003 and, as funds become available, to between 500 and 1000 people by the end of 2004.
The TAC Treatment Project works with public healthcare facilities where possible. If necessary, private doctors and laboratories are used. The project provides the following services:
- antiretroviral medicines;
- treatment counselling and patient education
- monitoring of medicine safety and adherence -- treatment regimes
- assistance with training of healthcare professionals.
Main areas of interest:
HIV/AIDS, Health & Human Rights
Structure of Organisation:
The Central Office is in Cape Town but there are other offices in Guateng, Western Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Lusikisiki, PMB and Queenstown.
Opportunities:
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) is the leading HIV/AIDS advocacy organisation in South Africa. TAC welcomes international volunteers if they meet the organisation’s requirements. TAC’s volunteer program is not an internship or training program – the main goal of the program is to provide assistance to the organisation wherever needed.
Volunteers usually work within the national office in Muizenberg, a suburb of Cape Town, doing a variety of tasks depending on the needs of the staff and organization, such as:
· Administrative tasks -- preparing mailings, updating or creating databases, cataloguing materials, etc.
· Programmatic tasks -- research, assisting with campaigns, developing fact sheets and other materials, etc. Often volunteers will pair up with specific staff members and work with them on their projects.
If you are interested in volunteering, please send CV, cover letter and a completed application form to volunteers@tac.org.za. The application is available for download here.
Related Organisations & Links:
Friends of Treatment Action Campaign is TAC's UK-based supporting organisation. See their website.
FoTAC are holding their official launch later this year. E-mail aska.leslie@almamata.net to get involved!
