HIV-911 is a database containing details on over 12 000 health and social welfare support services across South Africa. Using this database, HIV-911 specialises in the provision of referral support to the public and to the service provider community. We work across all provinces, in all districts and the referral information we provide has relevance to all communities. 

While our expertise is in the area of HIV, TB and STI-related referral support, our database cover all aspects of HIV-related prevention, treatment and support and can be used to assist with referrals to a broad spectrum of related support programmes.

Being a networking organisation, HIV-911 also encourages and assists service providers to more effectively connect with one another, locate and recommend supplementary support services for their clients.

The database is constantly maintained, updated and expanded. There are a variety of ways to access the database. For example, each year this data is packaged into a series of provincial hard copy directories that are then made available to the service provider community. The data is also accessible online, via a helpline and a SMS service. We recently introduced a mobile phone directory service that provides clients with immediate referral support information via text message. Called “Impilo – Health in my Hands” this service costs less than 60 cents a transaction and is available 24-hours a day on any mobile phone. Further details are provided below.

HIV-911 is the flagship programme of the Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN), a self-funded Centre of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. We are situated within the Faculty of Applied Human Sciences.

There are a variety of ways to access HIV-911’s database:

  • Online Directory:  www.hiv911.org.za
  • Contact Centre:  Referral Line and Data Collection Line 0860 HIV 911 / 0860 448 911 (office hours)
  • Hard copy Directories: To order a hard copy directory for each province, call 031 260 3052
  • Mobile Phone Directory: Call *120*448# to search the HIV-911 directory on your cell phone
  • Mobile Phone Advice Service: SMS 45080
  • or call the National AIDS Helpline 0800 012 322

The HIV-911 Programme aims to:

  • Connect individuals seeking information on where to locate HIV, AIDS and TB-related services to organisations who provide these services;
  • Assist HIV, AIDS and TB-related service organisations with locating like-minded services within any area of South Africa;
  • Develop a stable of services that will enable access to reliable HIV, AIDS and TB-related referral information in a cost-effective and time efficient way, while ensuring confidentiality and sensitivity for HIV or TB infected and affected individuals; and
  • Continually seek and establish collaborative relationships with organisations that have access to data on HIV, AIDS and TB-related support services so as to facilitate the integration of this data into the HIV-911 database.

HIVAN's Advisory Board is made up of the following members of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Executive Management as well as key strategic partners:

  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Humanities (Chairperson)
  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences (HDSS)
  • Executive Director of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Foundation (UKZN Foundation)
  • Director of Dramaide
  • Director / Project Manager of Culture, Communications and Media Studies (CCMS)
  • Director of Families South Africa (FAMSA)
  • Director: Centre for HIV and AIDS Networking (HIVAN)
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