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ARV accreditation for NMMU first HE in the country

In a first for higher education institutions in South Africa, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Campus Health Service has received accreditation to provide much-needed treatment to all eligible staff and students on its campuses.

The announcement by President Jacob Zuma in December last year about changes in ARV eligibility prompted NMMU to apply for accreditation for the second time. The first application in 2006 was unsuccessful. In addition, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced a new campaign called HIV testing and counselling (HCT).

This announcement follows the first comprehensive study of the epidemic in the higher education sector in South Africa to better understand the threat posed by HIV/Aids.

Though the HIV prevalence among students at NMMU was 1.8% - far lower than rates found in annual public HIV surveys - the university was always determined to play an even stronger role in fighting the disease.

“Only when the rate is 0% can we be satisfied,” says NMMU Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Engagement Professor Thoko Mayekiso.

All previously diagnosed and referred patients who have been attending other ARV treatment sites in and around the metropolitan area will in future be referred to the campus health facilities and will no longer need to take time out of lectures or work to access treatment.

”This final step ensures that we can truly say we provide holistic care to all staff and students of our institution,’’ says Sister Antoinette Goosen, NMMU Deputy Director: Campus Health Service.

Sister Goosen says HIV/Aids services at Nantiretroviral (ARV)

MMU have come a long way since 1997 at the former UPE and PE Technikon when voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), support groups and HIV awareness activities were offered.

As the years went by, the services were expanded to include wellness programmes for all persons who tested positive for HIV. This programme included monthly health checks, provision of nutrition supplements and immune booster treatment.

Today the focus of HIV testing has evolved so that now no longer do individuals just walk in and request an HIV test. Instead anyone visiting any health facility will be offered and or motivated to use the opportunity to have an HIV test.

NMMU Campus Health staff embarked on the first higher education HCT campaign in May this year.

Part of the new HCT campaign is to ensure that all health facilities become accredited ARV facilities at which nurses will be trained and eligible to initiate and manage AR treatment called NIMART (nurse initiated and management of ART). The nursing staff of NMMU Campus Health Service subsequently received training in NIMART.

Enquiries:
Sr Antoinette Goosen
	Position: Deputy Director Campus Health Services Department: News Phone: 27 41 504 2754 Location: Summerstrand Campus (North)

Issued by:
Ms Roslyn Baatjies
	Position: Media Liaison Practitioner Department: Marketing & Corporate Relations Phone: 041-504 2777 / 082 7712 100 Fax: 086 6165 676 E-mail: roslyn.baatjies Location: Summerstrand Campus (North)