South Africa's Department of Basic Education is inviting public comment on the draft strategy on HIV, TB and sexually transmitted infections until 26 May.
Health-e reports that the policy seeks to improve coordination of the department’s response to HIV and tuberculosis (TB) as well as increase knowledge about HIV, TB and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among learners, educators and school support staff.
Among other activities, the 31-page policy proposes: providing sexual and reproductive health counselling to senior, and intermediate learners where required, via mobile health units. This should include HIV counselling and testing and the provision of dual contraception; providing male and female condoms to all leaners; developing protocols on the use of isoniazid preventative therapy to prevent active TB in people living with HIV; and rolling out psychological support services to help identify students, educators or support staff affected by trauma.
Submissions should include the name, address, telephone and email of submitting organisations, the report says. The department has asked that submissions be prepared using the document’s headings as an outline. Members of the public wishing to comment solely on certain section are asked to write “no comment” under sections not of interest to them.
[link url="http://www.health-e.org.za/2015/05/12/draft-policy-basic-education-draft-policy-on-hiv-stis-and-tb/"]Full Health-e report[/link]
[link url="http://www.education.gov.za/DRAFTNATIONALPOLICYONHIVSTIsANDTB/tabid/734/Default.aspx"]Draft Policy[/link]