The CUT launched its annual Scrutinize Campaign – flip HIV to HI Victory – on Monday 26 July 2010.
The Scrutinize campaign is sponsored by PEPFAR and is set to continue on campus for the entire week. One of the main activities planned is HIV counseling and testing. Some other activities include alcohol and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, medical circumcision, as well as correct and consistent condom use.
Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, and his executive team, Prof. Rocky Ralebipi-Simela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof. Talvin Schultz, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Institutional Planning, Partnerships and Communications, Prof. Nicky Morgan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Resources and Operations, Dr Gift Vinger, Registrar, and Prof. Mojalefa Ralekhetho, Executive Liaison: Institutional Restructuring, went for counseling and testing on Monday afternoon. “We would like students to use this opportunity to know their status. As South Africa, we invest a lot of time, effort and money in our youth and we cannot afford wasted lives”, said Prof. Mthembu’s after he was tested.
Lesedi Lechabile the group who runs the Scrutinize Campaign trained 30 students and 15 staff members to continuously assist on campus even after the campaign has reached its end. The CUT invests three weeks of the year calendar to health and wellness. Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) week at the beginning of the year, educating students and staff on prevention and HIV testing; Health week, that promotes overall health by checking blood pressure, diabetes, heart etc. and the Scrutinize campaign that aims to teach people about behavioural change – making the better choice. Higher education institutions have been singled out as important role players set to take the lead in the campaign and ensure its success, and CUT is one of the few that have taken up the challenge.
Source: Central University of Technology