By ​Puseletso Tshetlo
 
The impactful, Pholosong Hospital's Dr In My Classroom programme has been resuscitated to continue confronting social ills affecting learners in schools across Tsakane, Kwa-Thema and Duduza. 
Formerly launched in 2019 and suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital has relaunched the outreach programme in February this year to tackle the high incidences of suicide, teenage pregnancy, bullying substance abuse and create awareness about mental and sexual health. 
Through the Dr In My Classroom programme young doctors and health professionals from Pholosong conduct peer to peer conversations with learners to empower and instil confidence in the them, as part of efforts to ensure that they make smart life choices that will impact positively on their lives and studies. The school visits are conducted on Fridays on a weekly basis.
Joy Mthethwa, a Life Orientation teacher at Tholulwazi Secondary School in Tsakane applauded the programme for the difference it has makes to learners in surrounding schools. 
"Ever since the Dr In My Classroom initiative visited our school, pregnancy statistics have drastically dropped. I can truly attribute this to the engagements and confidence you instilled in our learners," said Mthethwa. 
Dr Lerato Makoro, a young Community Service doctor at Pholosong Hospital is part of the programme. It was presented to her in her first year of medical internship and she saw the value in it.
"I always knew that Pholosong Hospital had a soft spot for the population of their surrounding communities. However, it is only after deciding to join the progamme that I only began to appreciate the extent of compassion the facility had towards its people," said Makoro. 
In the previous year, the hospital recorded a large number of young people are attempting to end their lives, with over 118 teenagers admitted after suicide attempts between June and August 2023. 
Through the Dr In My Classroom programme, the hospital does not only aim to provide health services to the community but also promote healthy and responsible lifestyles through education, preventative programmes and awareness initiatives.