The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) recently launched a roadshow across TVET Colleges in all five districts, to educate the youth about the importance of HIV and STI screening, as well as to conduct health dialogues.
The initiative aims to promote healthy sexual behavior. The initiative is led by GDoH’s HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) unit which aims to deter the youth from engaging in risky sexual behavior by educating them about prevention methods and treatment options available for STIs and HIV infection.
Chief Director for Health Programs, Refilwe Mokgetle says: “There is no better place to target the young people than at institutions of higher learning. We want to improve the health and well-being of our young people. With this campaign, we are trying to help young people develop the skills and attitudes needed to solve health-related problems and make informed decisions.”
The campaign has been taken to various institutions including Sebokeng TVET college and Vanderbijlpark TVET college situated in the Sedibeng District Municipality, as well as Germiston Tvet College and Tshwane University of Technology.
During the roadshow, the GDoH renders comprehensive health services including PreExposure Prophylaxis, STI screening, HIV testing, condoms and TB screening.
The initiative is carried out in partnership with Higher Health, South African Blood Services, NIGRO, Shout It Out, ANOVA Health Institute, AURUM Institute , Hands of Hope and Ke Ready.
Peter Mofokeng, Student Wellness officer at the Germiston TVET says: “I support this initiative because I view the academic success of learners as strongly linked with their health. The proper teaching and learning need healthy learners and of course bringing health services to the learners will assist in curbing unwellness in the classroom, healthy students mean healthy results,” said Mofokeng.
