The graduation ceremony, held at Accolades Boutique Hotel in Midrand, was a momentous occasion that recognised the dedication and perseverance of these newly certified professionals. The graduates successfully completed the Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) in Counselling, a programme designed to enhance their skills in providing ethical, informed, and patient-centred counselling services.

MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, highlighted the crucial role these counsellors play in strengthening Gauteng’s healthcare system.

“Your counselling services will help bridge the gap in HIV treatment. We rely on you to ensure that those diagnosed with HIV are initiated on treatment, adhere to their medication, and ultimately achieve viral suppression,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

The qualification equips graduates with the knowledge to support the province’s 95-95-95 HIV strategy, ensuring more people know their status, receive treatment, and maintain an undetectable viral load. It also aligns with the 1.1 Million ART Gap Campaign, an initiative by the National Department of Health aimed at ensuring an additional 1.1 million people living with HIV are placed on treatment by December 2025.

Beyond their role in healthcare facilities, these HTS Counsellors will also work within communities, providing health talks, promoting HIV, TB, and STI awareness, and guiding individuals on their health journey. Their presence will be particularly vital in areas where mobile clinics are being deployed, ensuring healthcare services reach even the most underserved populations.

For many graduates, this qualification represents more than just academic achievement, it is a life-changing opportunity. Diphaphang Mokoena, a 35-year-old graduate from Sedibeng district, expressed his gratitude for the programme, saying: “I am grateful for the opportunity provided to me by the Department of Health to get my qualification in counselling, and I am now ready to contribute as a qualified professional in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the province.

“This qualification is going to change my life. I have seen a lot of my peers trapped in the scourge of alcohol and drugs because of lack of education and unemployment. I want to do something better with my life and maybe get to reach out to my peer as well.”

The ceremony not only celebrated academic achievement but also underscored the department’s commitment to investing in education, professional development, and improved patient care. By advancing their skills, these graduates now have opportunities to further their careers in other related healthcare disciplines.

As the province continues to see a decline in new HIV and STI infections, the addition of these skilled professionals will help sustain and accelerate this progress. It also comes at a time when the government will be launching the 1.1 million ART (antiretroviral therapy ) Gap Campaign, an ambitious drive to ensure 1.1 million more people living with HIV across the country are placed on treatment by December 2025.

The department congratulates all the graduates and looks forward to their contributions in transforming lives and strengthening the province’s public healthcare system.

Ends//

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health