Dr. Gugulethu Nhleko
AQUITY I TB/HIV Clinical Advisor I DiD HIV Man (CMSA)
Dr. Gugulethu Nhleko is a distinguished medical doctor and Tuberculosis (TB) Clinical Advisor with extensive expertise in HIV and TB program implementation across South Africa.
Driven by a profound passion for health education, she has dedicated her career to strengthening health systems and improving patient outcomes through clinical excellence and mentorship.
Dr. Nhleko earned her MBChB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2016. Her commitment to public health solidified during her community service at a district hospital in Mpumalanga, where she transitioned from Medical Officer to Head Clinician of the HIV/TB Unit. In this leadership role, she spearheaded clinical services and successfully optimized program implementation for integrated HIV and TB care.
She holds a Diploma in HIV Management from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) and is renowned for facilitating advanced training in both drug-sensitive (DS-TB) and drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) management. In 2024, she joined a Global Fund Sub-Recipient as a Medical Officer, where she currently empowers healthcare teams through clinical mentorship, capacity building, and enhancing TB service delivery.
Her contributions to the field were recognised globally in 2024 when she was awarded Educator of the Year and named the Most Voted Healthcare Professional at the African Health Excellence Awards.
Dr. Nhleko's work centers on refining TB diagnostic accuracy, advancing the management of complex drug-resistant cases, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the healthcare workforce. She remains a leading voice in the effort to bridge the gap between clinical policy and frontline patient care
