HIV/AIDS a high priority at UKZN

Confronting HIV/AIDS is a priority at UKZN. This has been given impetus with the approval of the new three-year UKZN HIV/AIDS Plan.

Ongoing activities at the Institution range from the integration of information about AIDS into curricula to extensive HIV prevention programmes; providing antiretroviral drugs to those who have been raped or suffered occupational exposure to HIV infection; and comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment for students.

The Director of UKZN?’s AIDS Programme, Mr Chris Mokolatsie says, ?“we are one of the few institutions, if not the only one in South Africa, providing HIV/AIDS treatment to our students.?”

The AIDS Programme employs four Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) counsellors and an HIV/AIDS co-ordinator on each campus. The AIDS Programme Office is fully funded by the University.

?“HIV/AIDS is now a manageable disease and therefore the sooner a person knows their HIV status the better. There is no need for anyone to get infected today because we have all the necessary preventative measures in place,?” says Mr Mokolatsie.

As part of its broader community outreach the AIDS Programme also helps students coming from child-headed households by linking them up with NGOs and church organisations in their areas.