Free HIV/AIDS tests on campus

I'll know: The Student Wellness Service conducts free HIV/AIDS testing on campus.

Thousands of students and staff responded to free HIV/AIDS testing, which was available on campus from 14 to 24 August.

The testing is part of the university's HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) campaign, arranged by the Student Wellness Service in collaboration with the Human Resources Department, HIV/AIDS Co-ordination UCT (HAICU), the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and the Students Representative Council (SRC).

The campaign has been steadily gaining popularity since its launch in September last year. The first drive attracted 1 200 people, and the second drew another 2 500.

"We're doing this due to popular demand," remarked Busisiwe Zwane, VCT health practitioner with the Student Wellness Service.

Pre-counselling and final results are given privately, but for practical reasons blood tests are conducted publicly.

"It is a bit intimidating being tested in a public place because of the obvious connotations," says a third-year business science student, "but having the test done here is a way of supporting the idea of getting tested."

A second-year BA student explained: "I'm quite sure I'm safe, but you never really know what you've been exposed to."

For more information about HIV/AIDS testing, contact the Student Wellness Service (Dr Corinne Landon) on 021 650 1020.