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Take good care of yourself
Unisa students came in large numbers to the Sunnyside Campus recently, heeding the call by Student Development for them to participate in the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) awareness campaign held on 15 and 16 February 2010.
The campaign included a variety of educational material, including posters, flyers, stickers and pamphlets. The material contained information about HIV, Aids, living with HIV and Aids, caring for people with the disease, and the rights of a person living with HIV and/or Aids.
Ms IP Mohasoa, Student Health and Wellness Practitioner had the following to say: "With this STI awareness campaign, we aim to raise awareness about STIs, encourage students to test and know their HIV status. By doing so, we will ensure that we prevent the further spread of STI."
This campaign is in line with one of Unisa's strategic objective to enhance the health and wellness of our students. The initiative seeks to bring mobile health facilities to Unisa's students. Different health organisations, including New Start, Khomanani and Unisa's Directorate of Student Development, formed part of the campaign. New Start offered professional counselling and free HIV testing on the day. The students were also given their results on the day.
Khomanani provided information on STIs, living a healthy lifestyle and nutrition. Ms Nonhlanhla Mtshali from Khomanani urged students to be open with each other. “Don’t be scared to go to the clinic and report your problem. Also don’t be shy to tell your partner if you have an infection as that will save both of you,” she said.
Mr Nicholas Maluleke, Director: Student Development, said that as an ODL institution we get more and more young students on our campuses. “We encourage healthy lifestyles on our campuses. We have partnered with nearby health institutions to ensure that our student community is always healthy.”
Sanele Mavuso, NSRC Deputy President Internal; Tlangi Mogale, SASCO Tshwane; Harvey Johnson, Tshwane RSRC Secretary; and his RSRC Deputy Secretary, Ms Judith Matlou, were present during the STI Awareness Campaign. | 
