Beyond Zero launched the first ever Key Pop (Population) Hub on January 26, 2024, at Middestad Mall, Bloemfontein. Under the Global Fund Grant.  The Key Pop Hub is designed to cater to the distinctive healthcare needs of key populations, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, sex workers, and people who use drugs.

The launch of the Key Pop Hub marked a historic moment, drawing together a diverse gathering of over three hundred (300) attendees which included key populations, community leaders, the National Department of Health, Free State Department of Health, SANAC civil society leadership, SANAC TSU, representatives of other donor agencies such as CDC and other Global Fund Primary Recipients.

Jabulile Sibeko, Key Populations TSU said: “It’s so great to see an opportunity like this, having a Key Pop Hub where key populations can access services that are free of discrimination and stigma. We understand that when key populations go to general clinics in their communities often, they are turned away or they don’t receive the right services and are judged for who they are. What Beyond Zero has done today is the first of its kind, particularly in the Global Fund programme. It’s so good to see a seed become a tree. I remember when we went on the benchmark exercise to see the Po-in Centers funded by PEPFAR, where we learned how they implemented the programme and to see it become a reality today is a great opportunity. I would like to acknowledge the efforts that Beyond Zero have made to get us to this point. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing the impact that the Key Pop Hub will bring to the community”.

The Key Pop Hub was designed with the creation of a safe space in mind.  Beyond Zero did not only want to create a space for health services but rather a space where Key Populations will converge for other activities that cater for their needs.  The Key Pop Hub offers a multipurpose room which could be used for meetings, games, and as a relaxation area for beneficiaries.  There is also a google corner where beneficiaries can access internet for free and work on their assignments, CVs or any other document they may need.  The Hub consists of a consultation room, medical storage room, multipurpose room and google corner with information and educational materials made accessible in places that will be used by Key Populations.

Beyond being a launch, the event was also earmarked as a wellness fair offering an extensive array of biomedical services such as HIV testing, PrEP initiation, and more. Notably, Human Rights Violation was also documented, underlining our commitment to a holistic approach to community health.

We anticipate that the Key Pop Hub will bring relief to current and future beneficiaries in Mangaung who have struggled to find a safe space that caters for their individual health needs.