Healthcare provider perceptions on the implementation of the universal test-and-treat policy in South Africa: a qualitative inquiry

South Africa had an estimated 7.5 million people living with HIV (PLHIV), accounting for approximately 20% of the 38.4 million PLHIV globally in 2021. In 2015, the World Health Organization recommended the universal test and treat (UTT) intervention which was implemented in South Africa in September 2016. Evidence shows that UTT implementation faces challenges in terms of human resources capacity or infrastructure. We aim to explore healthcare providers (HCPs)' perspectives on the implementation of the UTT strategy in uThukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal province.