Welcome to Higher Health

HIGHER HEALTH works in eight key areas to promote the health and wellbeing of students across South Africa’s 26 public universities, 50 technical and vocational training colleges (TVET) and 9 community education and training colleges (CET).

Professor Brian O’Connell

1947 - 2024

We pay loving tribute to Professor Brian O’Connel. Higher Health mourns the loss of its first Chairperson of the Board, a man whose vision took this organization to new heights. We miss you deeply, and we will forever be grateful for the profound impact you had on this institution.
Our achievements today are the continuation of the legacy you built!

Professor Brian O’Connell

1947 - 2024

We pay loving tribute to Professor Brian O’Connel. Higher Health mourns the loss of its first Chairperson of the Board, a man whose vision took this organization to new heights. We miss you deeply, and we will forever be grateful for the profound impact you had on this institution.
Our achievements today are the continuation of the legacy you built!

Improving Wellbeing
Inspiring Success

HIGHER HEALTH works in eight key areas to promote the health and wellbeing of students across South Africa’s 26 public universities, 50 technical and vocational training colleges (TVET) and 9 community education and training colleges (CET).

Listen to our latest Podcast

Performance Highlights

2022-23: Serving young learners on more campuses

HIGHER HEALTH worked with staff and students at

  • 108 university campuses,
  • 274 TVET college campuses and
  • 168 CET centres.

1.5 Million +

young learners are reached by Higher Health in 1 year

(Peer to Peer awareness campaigns)

0+

learners benefitted from Higher Health social services

0+

learners linked to the skills programs in 1 year

Positive Outcomes

Gender Based Violence Interventions

In the last 2 years Higher Health enrolled over 350 000 students across our Universities, TVET Colleges and CET Colleges in the Higher Health civic and health skills curriculum, in the GBV module. These continuous efforts to address GBV are evident in the number of students engaging.

75 603K +

GBV risk assessments

0K

Dialogues with young learners

0

Considered GBV high risk

0

Young learners sent for GBV counselling

Mental Health Impact

2022/2023

0K

Mental Health Prevention

0K

Crisis Managed

0K

Young Learners Counselled

Unqualified
& Clean Audits

for the year

awarded

Who we are

HIGHER HEALTH develops and implements a range of health, wellness and psychosocial services across 420 campus sites and rural, informal and urban settings in all 52 districts across South Africa.

With a national office in Centurion, Gauteng, HIGHER HEALTH operates through a network of 70 district-based offices and three regional offices (in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

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We achieve our goals in partnership with allied government agencies, the private sector, UN and other development agencies and civil society formations.

Dr (Prof) R Ahluwalia

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

South Africa has been home to many remarkable leaders who have made substantial contributions to their respective fields. Among these outstanding individuals, Dr. Ahluwalia stands as a distinguished figure. With a strong background in medicine, Dr. Ahluwalia has devoted his life to advancing healthcare and fostering innovation within the industry.

His multifaceted career includes roles as a visiting professor at the University of Johannesburg and other higher education institutions, nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals…

Our Proud Partners

HIGHER HEALTH is a venture realised entirely through a complex array of partnerships. Our funding, most of our human resources, and many of the products and services needed to fulfil our mission are contributed by partners who share our vision for the wellbeing of young, bright, ambitious South Africans.

View all our partners

Our Core Focus

The heart of HIGHER HEALTH’s approach to health mobilisation, education and service delivery beats in the First Things First model.

Mental Health

Awareness, combatting stigma, risk assessment, access to services.
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GBV

Awareness, assessment, early intervention, support groups, access to services.
Learn more

Sexual Health

Contraception, antenatal care & termination services, prevention and early detection.
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HIV / TB / STI

Awareness, risk assessment, screening and testing, prevention methods.
Learn more

LGBTQ+ Health

Awareness, promotion of rights, support groups, responsive health systems.
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Alcohol & Drugs

Awareness, risk assessment, combating stigma, linkage to specialised services.
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Disabilities

Awareness, advocacy and promotion of rights, support groups.
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Covid-19

Disease prevention and control, including capacity building at institutions.
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Latest News & Social Media

Below is a carousal from our latest news and social media feeds.

Latest News
Youtube Feed
Facebook News

First Things First

The heart of HIGHER HEALTH’s approach to health mobilisation, education and service delivery beats in the First Things First model. This is where young people directly encounter the message that they need to put their health and wellbeing first in order to get the qualification they need to secure future opportunities.

Offerings

At First Things First events, we offer Counselling, Testing and Screening for:

  • HIV
  • TB
  • STI’s
  • Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
  • Mental Health
  • Sexual Reproductive Health
  • LGBTQIA+ and Human Rights
  • Blood Sugar (Diabetes)
  • Non-Communicable Diseases
  • Family Planning
  • Drug and Substance Abuse

This is where young people directly encounter the message that they need to put their health and wellbeing first in order to get the qualification they need to secure future opportunities. Some elements of the model are in place on virtually all campuses, others are in development, while a few elements are part of the future expansion of the model.

The delivery of the First Things First model rests on the establishment of a health-focused 2nd curriculum, the enrichment of the conventional curriculum, and utilisation of campus and social media.

12 May 2024

Venue : Postdom Site
Time : 09h00 – 16h00

12 May 2024

Venue : Postdom Site
Time : 09h00 – 16h00

12 May 2024

Venue : Postdom Site
Time : 09h00 – 16h00

Services

FAMILY PLANNING
PREGNANCY TEST
BLOOD PRESSURE TEST
BLOOD SUGAR
BMI WEIGHT MONITORING
HIV TESTING
TB SCREENING
STI SCREENING & TESTING
PrEP

We're here for you

At Higher Health, we understand that navigating through challenging times can be overwhelming for students, and reaching out for support can sometimes feel daunting. That’s why we’ve established our 24 Hour Crisis Helpline, a lifeline for students facing emotional distress, crisis situations, or in need of immediate assistance for reporting Gender-Based violence.

Our helpline operates 24/7, 365 days a year, providing confidential and compassionate support to students across South Africa. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, or any other mental health concern, our professional psychologists and counselors are here to listen, provide guidance, and offer resources to help students through difficult moments at no cost.

24hr Crisis Helpline - 0800 36 36 36

02-stethoscope

Mental Health

HIGHER HEALTH is a national agency that seeks to inspire success of two million students that attend 26 universities and 50 TVET colleges by improving their health and wellbeing.

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14-sryringe

Drug & Alcohol Abuse

HIGHER HEALTH is a national agency that seeks to inspire success of two million students that attend 26 universities and 50 TVET colleges by improving their health and wellbeing.

Learn more
09-check

Gender Based Violence

HIGHER HEALTH is a national agency that seeks to inspire success of two million students that attend 26 universities and 50 TVET colleges by improving their health and wellbeing.

Learn more