Jonathan Moustakis started working at Lenasia Community Health Centre a week before South Africa’s first Covid-19 case was reported. Suddenly, Covid-19 policies had to be implemented urgently, and he had the privilege of launching the facility’s Covid-19 task team. He created procedures including guidelines for patient flow, screening, triage and case management, adapting them as new evidence emerged. He now also oversees its Covid-19 vaccination services. During the initial level five lockdown, he researched the physical and mental effects on patients who couldn’t get treatment for other illnesses, and his article in the South African Medical Journal has been cited by authors globally. “To be able to contribute to scientific literature allowed me to extend my impact and, hopefully, make a difference on a larger scale,” he says. He’s also establishing clinical services specifically for LGBTIQ+ individuals to offer stigma-free care, including HIV treatment and mental health support.
I’m not saying I can change the whole world, but at least what I do puts a smile on people’s faces, and that drives me to wake up and go be the change I want to see.