About Us

Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) is a registered non-profit company established in association with the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, an accredited research centre within the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town (UCT).

The DTHF research, clinical and community outreach staff share a common purpose to lessen the impact of the HIV epidemic on individuals, families and communities through innovation and collaboration.

DTHF strives to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We have established clinical research sites in under-resourced areas where people are at high risk of HIV infection. With the cooperation of community leaders, we provide opportunities for residents to assist us in research studies and programmes.

Our research includes a range of HIV prevention modalities, vaccine candidates, treatment delivery and adherence, clinical trials, groundbreaking new drugs, and innovative technologies to address tuberculosis transmission. In addition to biomedical research, our socio-behavioral division seeks to understand the complex drivers affecting individual health-seeking behavior.

Bearing the name of our patron, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, is a constant reminder that our work is in the service of our beneficiaries.

Since our establishment, DTHF has been on a remarkable journey of growth, research, and impact. With two decades of experience in HIV research and healthcare, we have continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of our communities and address the challenges of the epidemic.