Question NW4145 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Reply:

Background and Context

1. HIGHER HEALTH Delivery against the HIGHER HEALTH Model

HIGHER HEALTH has a three-tier model that has emerged from our hands-on experience over many years. We continue to conceptualise and deliver our programme in terms of three broad processes:

• Level 1: Knowledge transfer –designed to reach the entire student population.
• Level 2: Practical learning – a more focused intervention that requires active student participation.
• Level 3: Linkage to services – to cater to individual students based on their needs.

The implementation of the HIGHER HEALTH Model has reinforced the significance of a holistic approach to health education. By employing different tiers, the model ensured comprehensive coverage of health topics while catering to individual student needs. The diverse programs within the model enabled knowledge transfer, practical learning experiences, and linkage to essential health services, fostering a conducive environment for students' overall well-being.

First Things First Health Days are the vehicle for much of the Health Promotion, testing, and screening that has become a hallmark of the HIGHER HEALTH approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of health promotion for health service providers to ensure sustainable working life for individuals involved in providing health services. Such sustainability begins when students preparing to manage their own future health and welfare in working life. HIGHER HEALTH model has been instrumental in supporting students to manage their health and determining their level of risk. The increased demand for education as prevention increased health-seeking behaviours amongst students in the reporting period.

Step-by-step measures and/or policies to combat high incidences of sexually transmitted infections in institutions of higher learning; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details

1. Background Context and Policy

• (WHO) Global Health Sector 2022-2030 details the vision, goals, and actions to ending the STI epidemic. Strengthening STIs case management is one of the key priorities of the strategy Effective people-centred

• HIV, TB, and STIs: National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023 – 2028 for HIV, TB and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) has been developed, and aims to reduce barriers to accessing health and social services. It builds on lessons from the previous NSP and promotes a new and urgent focus to reducing inequalities for all people living with HIV, TB and STIs who are not benefiting from treatment and care services.

• The inclusion of mental health services and social support is based on the strong association between HIV, TB and STIs, sexual and gender – based violenece (SGBV), human rights violations, inequalities and mental health and Viral hepatatis has also been included and the prevalce linked to linked to HIV and STIs. HIGHER HEALTH is scaling up interventions that includes health awareness campaigns, distribution of IEC materials, dialogues on HIV/STI/TB, risk screening for ADAP/LGBTQI/Disability, HIV testing, TB screening, cancer screenings, referrals, contraceptives distribution, and female condoms provision. Each intervention aimed to improve the health and well-being of students.

2. Training and Capacity Building for HIGHER HEALTH Clinicians

• Training on the latest National Department of Health (NdoH), Adult Primary Care (APC) guideline 2019/2020 which is a comprehensive approach to the Primary Care of Adults 18 years and above.
  • APC 2019/2020 aligns with all NDOH policies and Clinical protocols for Primary Health Care and includes the latest reviewed version for STI treatment which is the Comprehensive STI Clinical Management Guideline 2017.

3. Service Delivery

• Provision of Information
• Counselling and education, including HIV testing
• Circumcision promotion (counselling to continue condom use)
• Cervical cancer screening
• STI Campaigns Condom promotion, provision and demonstration to reduce the risk of STIs.
• Risk Screening – Screen all Beneficiaries accessing HH Mobile Clinic.
• Linkage to Care for all Beneficiaries screened positive, and their Contacts are referred for treatment and further management to the Clinic.
• Review the compliance/ adherence with treatment and Follow-up care for all Referrals and Contacts to ensure successive referrals.
• Monitoring and evaluation