The MES Impilo programme provides a holistic developmental approach towards the health challenges facing the poor and vulnerable communities of the inner-city.

Four units work together through internal referrals to ensure that each patient receives a holistic health care approach addressing their needs.

The home based care unit focus on outreaches to the homeless and destitute community in the inner-city as well as those staying in informal settlements and in dilapidated buildings. Their outreaches focus on identifying people at risk, admit them as a patient in need of home based care, do an assessment and draw up an intervention and exit plan for each patient with the assistance of a Social Worker. They offer prevention clinics to the community as well as primary health care through the sickbay and mobile clinic. Along with the Education team they provide opportunities for the practical applications of campaigns e.g. (at a TB campaign, and opportunity for TB screening will be available). This unit also refers patients to the hospice unit as well as the wellness clinic that does ART rollout and TB treatment.

The health education unit focuses on providing vital information to the community ensuring that they are empowered to make informed decisions regarding their health thus promoting healthy communities. Awareness is raised ensuring early detection of illnesses and an understanding of the illness with the aim to minimise stigmatisation of certain illnesses. During campaigns and workshops the health educators refer people to either the hospice facility, home based care unit or wellness clinic for further interventions.

The wellness clinic provides ART roll out, TB screening and treatment, education and support to clients and the community. Currently funding is only available to register 184 clients at the clinic for ART medication. The clinic also aims to empower the community and those infected with HIV and TB to manage their health status.

The hospice unit provides 24-hour palliative care for people with life threatening illnesses. The hospice unit has the following beds available:

• Ten hospice beds for those who need intensive palliative care
• Five isolation beds for those awaiting test results or have contagious diseases, such as MDR
• TB Six hospice beds for mothers and children (3 rooms)
• 9 intermediate care beds for clients only in need of home based care