On-site health clinics for Limpopo TVET colleges

There is a distinct lack of onsite health services at TVET colleges across the country and Limpopo was no exception up until last Thursday when Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela launched 16 new on-site health clinics at various college campuses in Limpopo.
This was done in conjunction with the Higher Education and Training Health, Wellness and Development Centre’s (Heaids) ‘First Things First’ provincial activation and took place at Capricorn TVET College in Seshego and was met with applause by all attending.
These new clinics are a direct result of Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba responding to the need in the area. The clinics are staffed by nurses from Monday to Friday, provide on-site testing and screening for HIV, TB and STIs, and offer family planning to college students and personnel.
The sites are strategically positioned in areas where there is limited access to other healthcare services. Besides Capricorn TVET College Seshego, there will be new clinics at Capricorn TVET College Polokwane and Senwbarwana; Letaba TVET College Tzaneen, Maake and Giyani; Mopani TVET College Phalaborwa and Sir Val Duncan; Sekhukhune TVET College CS Barlow and CN Phatudi; Lephalale TVET College; Waterberg TVET College Business and Engineering; and Vhembe TVET College Makwarela, Mavhoi and Tshisimani.
Manamela appealed to students to become agents of change in their communities as they have been empowered with knowledge and the means to protect themselves by making their own decisions regarding sex, relationships and their health.
Ramneek Ahluwalia, Chief Executive Officer of Heaids said experience has shown that it takes a combination of permanent and mobile interventions to combat the spread of HIV, TB and STIs.
“By providing routine access to basic essential services to our students, we are moving closer to our target of reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2017, we provided HIV testing and counselling to more than 200 000 students in universities and TVET colleges across South Africa through our First Things First Programme,” he said.
He concluded by saying this was another step in the journey towards an HIV-free country.

Story: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za