An innovative programme uses short WhatsApp lessons to train South African healthcare workers on updated HIV and TB treatments. Developed by Briony Chisholm, these 10-minute sessions address challenges in rural clinics, particularly drug interactions with Dolutegravir. The approach has proven effective, reaching thousands and supporting the new Six-Month Multi-Month Dispensing programme.
In South Africa's public healthcare system, keeping workers updated on evolving HIV and TB treatments is essential, yet access to training remains a hurdle, especially in rural areas. Briony Chisholm, formerly an information pharmacist at the University of Cape Town’s Medicines Information Centre, identified this gap during her work. She noted that rural clinic staff struggle with constant updates to HIV guidelines, as traditional training requires time away from duties, transport, and accommodation.
Chisholm's research, published in 2022, revealed that while 70% of healthcare workers knew Dolutegravir interacts with other drugs, many lacked details on specific interactions and dosing adjustments. Dolutegravir, introduced as the standard first-line HIV treatment at the end of 2019, affects about 4.7 million people in South Africa by 2023. It interacts with TB drug Rifampicin, diabetes medication Metformin, and some anti-epileptics, necessitating dose changes.
To tackle this, Chisholm piloted 10- to 15-minute WhatsApp-based microlearning sessions at 50 clinics near Nieu Bethesda in the Eastern Cape. These case-based lessons focused on key guideline points, proving feasible and effective. Participants reported improved knowledge and patient care, with 98% willing to join weekly sessions year-round.
The programme expanded through collaboration with the National Department of Health on the Six-Month Multi-Month Dispensing (6MMD) initiative, launched in August 2025. This allows stable HIV patients to receive six-month ARV supplies, reducing clinic visits. By late 2025, the WhatsApp sessions reached 2,000 workers as a supplement to longer online training.
Lynne Wilkinson from the International Aids Society praised it for ensuring nationwide clinician awareness of policy changes. Daniel Canham, a nurse at Idutywa Village Community Health Centre, said the short format fits busy schedules without disrupting services. Faith Maseko from Phola Park Clinic in Gauteng highlighted the ability to revisit materials for real patient scenarios.
Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale called it a low-cost, high-reach tool for continuous learning, vital for addressing training gaps and supporting epidemic control across HIV, TB, and other areas.