Massive HIV testing drive to protect students

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana

Published Nov 30, 2015

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Lisa Isaacs

THIS year 27 million condoms were distributed to students, 150 000 HIV and STI tests were done, and two million young people were reached out to by the National Higher Education and Training HIV/Aids programme (HEAIDS).

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana said a clear priority was to enable young South Africans, who were part of the post-schooling education system, to stay healthy in order to complete their studies successfully.

“Investments into the health aspect of student life and experience can achieve multiple benefits that extend far beyond the individual. They touch staff, families and communities. It is a mission that we must pursue with vigour,” Manana said.

HEAIDS’s mandate spans all 76 public sector higher education institutions. Its advocacy, peer education programmes and health services are available to the 2 million students who attend these 26 universities, and 50 technical and vocational educational and training colleges (TVETs) across 429 campuses.

HEAIDS director Ramneek Ahluwalia said South African youth, especially girls and young women, were in a high-risk category for contracting HIV. “That’s where we have been putting the bulk of our effort through the campus-based First Things First testing and screening programme and other targeted initiatives.”

This year, First Things First tested 150 000 students and staff for HIV and STIs, and screened them for TB and other health conditions.

Many of the campuses are in rural and previously under-resourced areas that have inadequate health infrastructure, Ahluwalia said.

“We have worked tirelessly to bring condoms, testing facilities, family planning and health education to their door step, but we realise this must continue with greater energy and resources as we look into next year,” he said.

He said once students know their status and are able to prevent new infections while managing their health, they are more likely to stay in the education system.

“This helps us to consolidate family structures from which we can work to strengthen the health and social status of staff, students and parents,” he said.

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