GDoH launches health education roadshow

In concerted efforts to educate the youth about the importance of HIV and STI screenings, as well as to conduct health dialogues, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) recently launched a roadshow across TVET colleges in all five districts in the province.
The initiative aims to promote healthy sexual behaviour.
The initiative is led by the department’s HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) unit which aims to deter the youth from engaging in risky sexual behaviour. Young people are educated about prevention methods and treatment options available for STIs and HIV infection.
Chief Director for Health Programmes, 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 youth. 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 the Sebokeng TVET College and the Vanderbijlpark TVET College situated in the Sedibeng District Municipality, as well as the Germiston TVET College and the Tshwane University of Technology. During the roadshow, the GDoH renders comprehensive health services including pre-exposure prophylaxis, STI screenings, HIV testing, condoms, and TB screenings. 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, said his support for the initiative is sparked by the academic success of learners being strongly linked to their health. “Bringing health services to learners will assist in curbing unwellness in the classroom. Healthy students will be able to produce healthy results,” Mofokeng said.