DUT Staff Informed Of New Prevention Methods At The World Aids Day Celebration

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DUT Staff Informed Of New Prevention Methods At The World Aids Day Celebration


Students and staff at the Durban University of Technology embarked on a peaceful march from Curries Fountain to Steve Biko campus in commemoration of World Aids Day on Tuesday, 28 November 2024.
The Durban University of Technology HIV/AIDS Centre in partnership with the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) joined forces to engage and keep DUT staff and students informed about HIV/AIDS and new prevention methods.
Various organisations were also in attendance at the event to talk to the DUT community about the different types of prevention methods such as the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which is the use of anti-HIV medications to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected.
There is also the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) Study which is a study that enables women to avoid high-risk pregnancies. These contraceptive methods help prevent hundreds of thousands of maternal and infant deaths every year.
With the theme of the event being “It is my right to know my status”, prevention is the responsibility of everyone, talks on the TB disease which has caused the highest numbers of death from 2024-2025, were also relayed to the DUT community. TB and MRD Clinical Research Director/Psychologist Mr Siyabonga Nzimande spoke on the danger of TB and the increasing numbers of those infected with HIV/AIDS.
“We need to spread the word about prevention and encourage people to test for HIV and TB. With the information we have, we must share it with people from the poorer communities who are not as informed about the new developments in preventing the virus,” said Nzimande.
Free medical screenings were offered to all attendees and they were encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle, get tested for HIV regularly and to know their HIV status.
Pictured: DUT’s EAP staff members, Samantha Rajcoomar, Nonto Mkhize, Nobantu Naomee and chief professional nurse at the Department of Student Counselling and Health Sooriagandhi Wardthen, at the event.