THE IMPILO PROJECT is a community-based primary healthcare initiative working in South Africa’s informal settlements to shift healthcare from REACTIVE to PROACTIVE. By empowering local health workers, running regular Community Health Days, and using smart medical technology, IMPILO delivers early, preventative care where it is needed most.

WHAT we're up against

More than 5 MILLION SOUTH AFRICANS live in informal settlements where preventable illnesses often become life-threatening.

Overstretched and hospital-focused

Largely reactive, intervening only when patients are critically ill

Unable to provide early prevention or consistent follow-up care

This leads to a vicious cycle of DELAYED treatment, OVERWHELMED facilities, and WORSENING health outcomes.

THE CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS:

Our APPROACH

COMMUNITY-BASED PRIMARY HEALTHCARE

Global evidence from the WHO, World Bank, and peer‑reviewed studies shows that community-based primary healthcare:

Improves health outcomes

Strengthens equity

Reduces pressure on hospitals

Is the most cost‑effective way to build resilient health systems

IMPILO breaks the cycle by delivering care inside communities, BEFORE illness becomes CRITICAL.

HOW it works

Our model combines THREE INTEGRATED PILLARS:

1 COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

Trained local men and women embedded in the communities they serve.

Early health screening & basic treatment

Home-based visits & follow-up care

Data collection & health monitoring

Referrals & remote consultation with doctors

Employment & skills development

2 COMMUNITY HEALTH DAYS

Quarterly comprehensive health services delivered directly into communities (e.g. schools)

Medical & psychological assessments

Dentistry, physiotherapy, cancer screening

HIV counselling, PAP smears, nutrition support

Legal, social & rehabilitation services

Community engagement & health awareness

3 MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM

A secure digital system

that supports continuity

and scale.

Captures & analyses patient data

Tracks recurring patients

Enables remote doctor consultations

Improves efficiency & funder reporting

Identifies community-wide health trends

IMPACT Pathway

COMMUNITY-BASED CARE LEADS TO:

Earlier treatment and prevention

Targeted community interventions

Fewer critical illnesses

Reduced load on clinics & hospitals

Increased capacity of healthcare staff

More resources flowing back into communities

WHY Community Health Workers Matter

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE RESOURCES IN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE BECAUSE THEY:

Are trusted & culturally aligned

Enable early detection & prevention

Provide continuity for chronic, maternal & child care

Reach underserved & remote populations

Reduce clinic burden through triage & referrals

Are scalable & cost-effective

Proven DELIVERY

90+

VOLUNTEERS

35

DOCTORS

100+

MEDICAL & SOCIAL SUPPORT STUDENTS

LEGAL & ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

SINCE MID-2024, IMPILO HAS DELIVERED CARE TO OVER 1,700 PATIENTS ACROSS 8 HEALTH DAYS

Get INVOLVED

Last year, 12 year old Axole Gabuza from Joe Slovo, died from a treatable medical condition simply because the nearest clinic was too far away - a 14km round trip many families cannot manage in time.

On 20 December 2025, teams carried 45kg (Axole’s body weight) from Joe Slovo to Dunoon Clinic and back - the journey he never got to finish.

We walked for him, and for those who still cannot.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Click the BackaBuddy link below to find out how your donation will help us bring healthcare closer to the people of Joe Slovo by equipping our frontline health champions with: