First Things First, My Health My Responsibility

Students and staff participating in the awareness campaign

The First Things First – Get Tested is a campaign that was developed by The Higher Education HIV/AIDS (HEIADS) programme in order to mitigate the spread of HIV, TB and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) in Vaal University of Technology.

This social campaign which started on 6 February will run until 9 February at the Vanderbijlpark and Sebokeng Science Park respectively. Campaign activities include a party pack and R50 food vouchers sponsored by Shoprite for 50 students that get tested in one of their marquees. The marquees are placed at each entrance and exit point of the campus.

The First Thing First campaign offers all the clinic testing services in collaboration with the Sedibeng District Municipality Health Services, funded NGO’s and Broad Reach Healthcare. It is the first time that the VUT clinic collaborates with other healthcare facilities.

The HIV/AIDS co-ordinator Ms. Epheniah Mohotsi stated that their main target is first year students, not excluding senior students and staff members as it is important for everyone to take care of their health and know their status. She also mentioned that the theme campaign for 2017 is “MY HEALTH, MY RESPONSIBILITY”.

The campaign will continue to take place in the following satellites, 9 February VUT Science AND Technology Park in Sebokeng, 14 – 15 February Ekhurhukeni Campus in Daveyton and 14 February VUT Secunda Campus.