23 May 2012: The Right to Care board, of which Dr Ali Bacher is chairman, has been bolstered with the appointment of a new non-executive director, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, former deputy minister of health and defence and a former deputy speaker of the national assembly. 

Right to Care is South Africa’s largest HIV/Aids NGO. “Whilst Deputy Minister of Health, Madlala-Routledge promoted evidence-based medical treatment for those living with HIV and AIDS. We believe that she is a most suitable non-executive appointment bringing with her strong credentials and her action orientated approach. Her commitment to speaking truth to power will be most valued on our board. We know that she will help us to play a leadership role in fighting this pandemic,” comments Dr Bacher.

Says Madlala-Routledge, “I am most impressed by the work of this very impactful NGO and am committed as always to making a difference in society now through my participation on the Right to Care board.”

Through a variety of programmes and partnerships with government, USAID and other NGOs, Right to Care supports over 170 HIV/Aids treatment sites, funds the care and treatment of more than 125 000 HIV positive patients and tests more than 250 000 patients a year. It also runs the largest HIV/Aids clinic in the country at Helen Joseph Hospital, Themba Lethu Clinic, which has over 12 000 patients on anti retroviral therapy (ART) and conducts over 10 000 HIV tests per year. In addition, the organisation has a focus on corporates and provides HIV services to 30 businesses (100 000 employees) in eight African countries. Right to Care has 750 full time staff in five provinces.

The organisation is supported by a grant of over 173 million US dollars over five years from the US government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). USAID, which disburses and manages the funds, requires a high level of reporting and governance. 

In addition the Right to Care board consists of: Dr Ali Bacher (Chairman), Dr Brian Brink, Peter Moyo, Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt, Stanley Mabuza, Peter Goldhawk and Reginald Muzariri. The executive directors of Right to Care are internationally renowned and include the founder and CEO, Prof Ian Sanne; Kurt Firnhaber, COO and Dr Thembisile Xulu, MD of Right To Care Health Services. ENDS

Bio: Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge

1999 – 2004 Deputy Minister of Defence. Established the African Women’s peace table and developed the policy on developmental peacekeeping.
2004 – 2007  Deputy Minister of Health. Promoted evidence-based medical treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.
2008 - 2009 Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly in the South African parliament.
Prior to her election as a member of parliament, Nozizwe served in the national liberation movement as Chairperson of the Natal  Organisation of Women. She also served on the executive of the Women’s National Coalition and the TEC on the Subcouncil on the Status of Women.
Currently: Leads the Embrace Dignity Campaign, through which she is advocating for laws aimed at ending sex trafficking and the demand for prostitution.
Awards: Tanenbaum Peacemakers Award and an honorary doctorate from Haverford College, Pennsylvania and UKZN Alumnus Award.
Education: Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) University of Cape Town; Bachelor of Social Science (Philosophy and Sociology Majors) UKZN, Advanced Diploma in Adult Education UKZN, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (Microbiology, Chemical Pathology and Haematology) State Pathology Laboratory.