The amount of students that attended the 2017 second semester’s HIV/AIDS Centre’s ‘First Things First’ campaign saw an increase in numbers.
The 2017 second semester ‘First Things First’ campaign was held from 14 to the 18 of August 2017 at the five Durban campuses. This campaign is held every semester and scores of students get tested for HIV, engage in open lifestyle discussions, counselling and guidance on how to live a healthy lifestyle.
“This semester we saw an increase in the number of students that took part in this initiative as compared to last semester and the previous year,” said Thobile Zulu, DUT HIV/AIDS Centre Manager.
According to Zulu, over 3000 students tested last semester, while the numbers doubled in the second semester.
“It is good to see a positive response from both sexes (males and females), it really gives us great joy as a centre to see our students being concerned about their lifestyles and health,” added Zulu.
At City campus, DUT Journalism student Ntokozo Msane, who went to seek advise on healthy living, said she was pleased with the guidance she had received. “The HIV/AIDS centre staff is really promoting wellness amongst us young people. It is really great to know we have this service offered to us at the University,” said Msane.
The HIV/AIDS centre does not only encourage testing during the campaign week but it is also done on regular basis at their offices situated on the 1st floor at Open House (Standard Bank Building), Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm.
Pictured: Students having fun at the ‘First Things First’ campaign at Steve Biko Campus.
Nomfundo Ngcobo
