On Friday 13th March, MatCH Research staff – Zonke Mabude, Busi Maphumulo and Kedibone Sithole – attended the launch of the Dual Protection campaign. KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, who is also the Champion of Operation Sukuma Sakhe in Amajuba District, addressed young people about the importance of protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS, and other STIs and preventing unplanned pregnancies during their period of study at the college.
This Dual Protection Campaign will be targeting students at various TVET institutions and engaging them on the importance of contraception usage, together with consistent condom usage which will decrease HIV infection and the number of unwanted and teenage pregnancies.
A number of health services were provided at the launch to encourage people to lead a healthy lifestyle, including: Medical Male Circumcision (MMC), HCT, hypertension and diabetes screening and eye, and hearing testing. MatCH Research hosted a Dual Protection stall where they demonstrated and promoted female condom use. The female condoms were very popular and in great demand, with young people showing great interest in how to use them and where to get them.