An innovative and compassionate centre of expert healthcare for the LGBTQI+ Community
Historically, members of the LGBTQI+ community from around the world have faced a lack of adequate access to quality medical services that can improve their lives.
In South Africa, the LGBTQI+ community is fortunate enough to be protected by Section 9 of the Constitution; the ‘equality clause’. This Section provides the legal framework for the protection of the community. However, in practice, this community still faces discrimination and barriers to adequate healthcare.
Noticing that there is still a huge need for expert healthcare, specifically catering to the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa, founders of QWC – The Queer Wellness Centre, Dr. Claudia Do Vale, Dr. Ryan van der Merwe and Mr. Scott Hunt, are aiming to provide the solution through this newly established space that will offer state of the art medical services specific to the needs of the LGBTQI+ community.
Much time, dedicated research and care has been put into the foundation phase of this centre. Cultural experts, researchers, medical doctors and financiers joined forces to bring life to QWC. Real people, their stories and incomparable lived experiences are the inspiration and driving force behind this healthcare venture.
Improving Healthcare and Quality of Life for the LGBTQI+ Community
The Queer Wellness Centre will provide world-class expert healthcare to the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa. Members of the community will now have access to a dedicated safe space where they can receive treatment, guidance, and support provided by professional practitioners, without prejudice. QWC will be the first centre of its kind on the African continent, and will also provide anal care and treatment, including anoscopy, for the detection of anal cancer.
Overall, this centre is a place of compassion and targeted, specialist health care. QWC is set to open its doors in November 2019. Located in Johannesburg, with goals to expand into other parts of the country as well as the African continent in the future.
Co-founder and specialist physician, Dr. Claudia Do Vale, expresses her excitement about the upcoming launch of the centre and says “It is a privilege to be able to contribute towards good healthcare and safe spaces for the LGBTQI+ community. My drive and passion is to make an impact on the lives of members of the community and this will serve as the foundation on which the QWC legacy will be built.”
About Queer Wellness Centre (QWC)
QWC is founded by Dr. Claudia Do Vale, Dr. Ryan van der Merwe and Mr. Scott Hunt. It’s multi-service expert healthcare offering to the LGBTQI+ community includes;
- Focused health care for each member of the LGBTQI+ community
- Screenings and Treatment
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Specific Care Advice
- Consultations
- Dispensing of Medication
- Single point of care for primary and specialist healthcare for the LGBTQI+ community
- Safe space where confidentiality is paramount
- Advocacy for unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQI+ community
- Cutting edge technology in STI diagnostics
- First provider of anal care and treatment (including anoscopy for anal cancer detection)
- Prejudice-free service
*QWC is a cash-based service, patients can take their receipts to their respective medical aid providers to claim back cash.
QWC is launching the first comprehensive LGBTI+ clinic in Johannesburg and they need your help with some of the set up costs. Specifically funds raised will be used to bring in specialised medical equipment not currently available in South Africa. The space will offer cutting edge medicine and focus on providing individuals with prejudice free and constructive health care. If this sounds of value then please donate – crowdfunding allows them to make sure the centre can focus on the patients specifically as the key stakeholders.
For QWC to be truly successful it needs YOUR support. If you’re reading this please donate to their PinkStart Campaign now!
Visit https://www.pinkstart.me/en/qwc for more info and to DONATE!
