Sexual and reproductive healthcare services for students

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is committed to providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health-care services to its students, ensuring both accessibility and affordability. These services are primarily delivered through the Centre for Student Health and Wellness and the Institutional Office for HIV and AIDS (IOHA).

Centre for Student Health and Wellness:

UJ’s Centre for Student Health and Wellness operates Primary Health Care (PHC) Clinics on each campus, staffed by qualified nurses and sessional medical doctors. These clinics offer a range of services at no cost to students, including:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Provision of contraceptives and family planning advice.
• HIV Care and Support: Comprehensive care for HIV-positive students, including counselling and medical management.
• Preventative Healthcare: Vaccination programmes for at-risk students and monitoring of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

While most services are free, certain specialised tests, such as blood glucose and cholesterol testing, incur a nominal fee of R25.00 each. The clinics operate from 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday, and are supported by ER24 for after-hours emergencies. 

Institutional Office for HIV and AIDS (IOHA):

The IOHA at UJ plays a pivotal role in promoting sexual and reproductive health through education and support services. Its initiatives include:

• Awareness Campaigns: Focusing on topics such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and general sexual health to inform and educate the student body.
• Peer Education Programmes: Empowering students with knowledge and skills related to sexual and reproductive health, enabling them to disseminate information and support their peers effectively. 
• Wellness Services: Offering screenings for blood pressure, weight, STIs, and tuberculosis, alongside providing barrier methods and HIV testing services. 

In alignment with its Gender Equity Framework, UJ is dedicated to ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. This commitment includes supporting both staff and student mothers and executing various gender forums to address and promote gender-related issues within the university community. 

In response to health concerns, such as the surge in STI infections in areas inhabited by students, UJ remains proactive in addressing these issues through its health services and educational campaigns. 

Through these dedicated services and initiatives, the University of Johannesburg ensures that students have access to essential sexual and reproductive health-care resources, fostering a supportive and informed campus environment.