By Nangamso Mabindla
4 September 2008

THE prevalence of substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and other health challenges among young people prompted Buffalo City’s health promotion section to visit schools on an awareness drive regarding these dangers.

In August the section, in partnership with ward councillors, the South African National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre, and the provincial department of social development, visited various schools to focus on youth development.

The City used the visits to launch a pilot project, the Health Promoting Schools Programme, at Uviwe High School in Scenery Park. Boniswa Mzimba, the City’s health promotion chief, said the programme was also aimed at creating an environment conducive to better schooling for the youngsters.

“The health promoting schools concept is closely tied to the understanding of health promotion in general and is a vehicle to deepen commitment to issues of youth development, especially youth awareness.”

For it to be a success, it was important for the relevant department and stakeholders to be involved. “The Health Promoting Schools Programme should focus on a health programme, a social development programme and physical development programmes. The success of these … largely depends on an integrated, whole school development framework.”

Mzimba also said that there was a need to expand the pilot for the benefit of the whole Eastern Cape Province.

“Schools must be involved in programmes that are intended to promote health and wellness in the schools. Currently, our section has got health promotion programmes within various schools in Buffalo City.”

These included Paraffin Safety, pre-season circumcision schools outreach, and health education.

Vuyani Holiday, the Ward 12 councillor, thanked the City and its partners for bringing health awareness to Scenery Park and encouraged the school and the community to work together to ensure that the pilot project was a success.