About 25 million condoms we distributed to young people in institutions of higher learning across the country last year alone.
This was made possible through the First Things First campaign which falls under the Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS (HEAIDS) programme.
This programme aims to reach 2.3 million beneficiaries by accessing 76 institutions of higher learning with 429 campuses across the country.
At the 21st International AIDS Conference, initiators of the programme revealed that the programme has taken a whole new holistic approach.
It is no longer limited to tackling HIV but includes social, gender and age disparities, and other related health and wellness issues affecting the youth population.
“The HEAIDS programme has been able through its evidence-based interventions to grow from offering generic HIV, STIs, TB testing and screening services for our vulnerable young generation to availing a comprehensive package of adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services,”said deputy minister of Higher Education Mduduzi Manana.
The deputy minister who is the champion of the HEAIDS programme said it was important to make information about HIV available to young people because the disease affects education outcomes.
Information is made available through campaigns such as the First Things First campaign where students and the general youth population get tested for HIV and other illnesses.
Last year, through the First Things First campaign 174000 young people were tested making the number 79% higher than the previous year.
It reached nearly 600 campuses which is 58% more than 2014.
HEAIDS programme director Ramneek Ahluwalia told those who attended the HEAIDS session at AIDS 2016 that every week about 2000 young girls between the ages of 14 to 24 gets infected with HIV.
“It will, therefore, be imperative for the HEAIDS programme through its emerging good practice First Things First HIV, STIs, TB model to continue providing a comprehensive package of health services to those who require it –including the LGBTI community that research has reflected have limited access to sexual and reproductive health services.
“HEAIDS’ own research of HIV prevalence in the higher education sector affirms other research about the protective and HIV risk-lowering effect of education.
“It is imperative we support young people in completing their studies and becoming independent and productive members of our society and economy,” said Ahluwalia.
Since the AIDS 2016 conference started on Monday, the issue of young girls being the most infected and affected by HIV has been high on the agenda.
Manana highlighted the issue of sugar daddies and the “blesser” phenomenon as some of the factors leading to the rise in the number of girls infected with HIV.
