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HIV/AIDS Management


Managing HIV


GEMS has a comprehensive and effective HIV Management Programme, which is available to all members living with HIV. If you or one of your dependants is living with HIV, it is important to register on the HIV Programme as this will give you access to the care and support you need to lead a healthy and productive life.

Confidentiality guaranteed

GEMS takes exceptional care to maintain the confidentiality of all members and dependants who are living with HIV and who register on the GEMS HIV Management Programme. The programme is managed by a team of healthcare professionals. 

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What benefits are available?


If you register on the GEMS HIV Management Programme, you will have access to the following benefits:

  • Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (antiretroviral therapy);
  • Medicine to treat and prevent opportunistic infections related to HIV/AIDS, including multi-vitamins where appropriate;
  • Encouraging early treatment commencement to avoid complications;
  • Regular monitoring to ensure that treatment is effective, with minimal side-effects;
  • Clinical support and guidelines for your doctor;
  • Access to a medical team who will review your details and consult with your doctor to ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatment for your condition
  • Reminders for you and your doctor to ensure that all regular check-ups and tests are done timeously to optimise your treatment; 
  • Treatment to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child if required, including treatment for the baby; and
  • Treatment to prevent contracting HIV after accidental exposure to infected bodily fluids as a result of sexual assault, needle-stick injury, etc.
     
     
    Please note that a doctor's prescription and Scheme pre-authorisation are required for all medicines, including multi-vitamins. Pathology test results also need to be submitted regularly to the Scheme.
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Accidental exposure?

Please call 0860 436 736 if you have accidentally been exposed to HIV so that appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be arranged to prevent HIV infection.
PEP is only provided to HIV-negative patients with possible exposure to HIV, and for a limited time.
It is important to remember that HIV post-exposure prophylaxis must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure for it to be effective.

  

Who is pre-exposure prophylaxis for?

 

  • Adolescent girls, boys, young women and men 
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Individuals with more than one sexual partner
  • People who inject drugs 
  • People with a recent history of STI(s) 
  • Individuals who recognise their own risk and request PrEP 
  • Serodiscordant couples if the HIV positive partner is not virally suppressed  
  • Sex workers
  • Migrant workers
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women 

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is suitable for people of any sex, gender, and sexual orientation. 

Please call 0860 436 736 if you need to prevent yourself from contracting HIV so that appropriate Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can be arranged for you.



How do I register on the HIV/AIDS DMP?


Step 1:Beneficiaries who do not know their HIV status can ask their doctor or clinic to test them. GEMS will pay for this test from the preventative screening benefit from risk, and your day-to-day or savings benefit will not be affected. The doctor will be informed of the test results.

Step 2: Beneficiaries who are known to be HIV-positive can download the form from the GEMS website or request that a form be sent to them using the ‘please call me’ option via 083 843 6764. Beneficiaries can also send an email to hiv@gems.gov.za or call 0860 436 736 (Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm, and Saturday from 8am to 12pm). 

Step 3:

The next step is to visit your doctor for:

  • A physical examination;
  • Completion of the relevant application form, which must be signed by both the doctor and patient;
  • Further blood tests and investigations as deemed necessary by the doctor; and
  • A prescription for the appropriate antiretroviral medication(s).

Step 4: Completed forms, test results and prescriptions are to be emailed in confidence to hiv@gems.gov.za

Step 5: The GEMS HIV Disease Management Programme team will contact the beneficiary to discuss the outcome of the application.

Need more information?

  • GEMS has a dedicated, user-friendly HIV Member Guide which includes valuable information to support you and answers many of the questions you may have.  
  • If you have any further questions, please call 0860 436 736 or send a "Please call me" to 083 843 6764.

The GEMS HIV Management Programme has it's own confidential channels:

  • Telephone: 0860 436 736 (Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 17:00 and Saturday from 8:00 to 12:00)
  • Send a ‘please call me’ to 083 843 6764
  • Email: hiv@gems.gov.za
  • Fax: 0800 436 732
     

 


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