Moses Mathiba receives condoms from Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba at the Department of Health's #noregret campaign at the Indian Centre taxi rank.
POLOKWANE – The Department of Health embarked on a #noregrets awareness campaign where the Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba handed out condoms to residents at the Indian Centre taxi rank on Wednesday.
Ramathuba was accompanied by health workers who manned a stall with information leaflets, which they handed out and explained to residents the importance of knowing your status and protecting yourself by using a condom when you have sex.
Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba explains to Salome Letswalo the importance of safe sex during the Department of Health’s #Noregret campaign at the Indian Centre taxi rank.
The health workers and MEC also made sure people understood that HIV/Aids is not the only danger of having unprotected sex, as there are other sexual transmitted diseases that can also be contracted when you have sex without a condom.
Health workers educate residents on the importance of safe sex.
She advised ladies not to be ashamed of carrying condoms in their handbags as they will protect themselves. “The ABC message is still a cornerstone of our campaign. We insist and emphasise to girls and boys that education is key to success. Books comes first and they must abstain and not engage themselves to sexual activities. To those who are matured both physically and psychologically and ready to engage in sexual activity, be faithful to your partners and those who fail to be faithful to their partners should use protection at all time. The ABC message will continue to be emphasised throughout our campaign,” Ramathuba said.
There was a mobile clinic at the taxi rank where people could get tested for HIV/Aids or get other health screenings done.
Review asked residents if they thought the campaign was important and made a difference, as well as if they will share the information they received and the importance of using a condom with others.
Patience Phasha: “This initiative by the MEC is very thoughtful and it proves that she cares about her people’s health. I hope people will take this matter into consideration and do as the MEC told them to do when being intimate. People must stop being ignorant when it comes to unprotected sex, many lives will be saved if they use a condom.”
Lucky Moloto: “I would like to encourage people who are sexually active to always have condoms. If your not using a condom during intimacy, expect any sexual disease at anytime. People should be aware that condoms do not only protect us from HIV/Aids but there are also other dangerous diseases one can get from unprotected sex. I plead with residents to start education around condoms at home, as sharing this important message about using condoms can save a life. It is shocking to see a person die from a sexual disease.”
Vincent Chabalala: “I am pleased with the MEC’s initiative of distributing condoms and it is very important for people to get tested so that they know their status. When using protection, chances of being affected by STD’s are very low and if you test and find out that your already affected just accept the situation and start taking medicines.”
Salome Letswalo: “There is no excuse to have unprotected sex, because you even have a choice on what flavor you would like to use. Condoms are freely available at local clinics. Our Health MEC is doing a great job by handing out condoms in public and people will hopefully not be ashamed of going to fetch them at clinics and hospitals.”
Khutjo Mokoti: “I am very happy with the work the MEC is doing. It is a great initiative and I will protect myself and remain healthy forever. I will share this information with those who are not aware just to give them light as sharing is carrying.”
Moses Mathipa: “I fully support the MEC’s initiative and encourage people to have protected sex to avoid being sick. Condoms are distributed free, so people have no excuse for having unprotected sex and getting sick. People are sick out there so you should not have unprotected sex with someone you do not know and do not trust.”
