Proud Global partner of UNESCO

CONGRATULATIONS

Prof Ramneek Ahluwalia (CEO of Higher Health) on his appointment to the Global UNESCO Liaison Committee for two years (2025-2027) at the recent elected NGO-UNESCO International conference being held at UNESCO Headquarters from 17-19 December 2024.

Prof. Ahluwalia’s victory in these global elections reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by bringing science, health, and education to communities worldwide.

We wish him success as he resumes his new role from 1st Jan 2025.

CONGRATULATIONS

Prof Ramneek Ahluwalia (CEO of Health) on his appointment to the Global UNESCO Liason Committee for two years 2025-2027 at the recent elected NGO-UNESCO International conference being held at UNESCO Headquarters from 17-19 December.

Prof. Ahluwalia’s victory in these global elections reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by bringing science, health, and education to communities worldwide.

We wish him success as he resumes his new role from 1st Jan 2025.

Unqualified
& Clean Audits

for the year

awarded

A Proud Partner of UNESCO

As a key partner of UNESCO, Higher Health has emerged as Africa’s second-leading nonprofit organization focused on youth empowerment. The Skills for Life and Soft Skills online programme is designed to make the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) accessible to young people, ensuring they can relate to these goals in their languages and contexts.

Through this partnership, Higher Health plays a pivotal role in implementing UNESCO’s Transforming MEN’talities and Skills for Life and Soft Skills programme, aimed at fostering positive gender norms, promoting mental health, and equipping students with critical life skills. This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to building healthier, safer, and more inclusive learning environments, empowering young people to lead meaningful and successful lives.

This partnership reflects Higher Health’s unwavering commitment to advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by bringing science, health, and education to communities worldwide.

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.

Read more

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) of Higher Health:
South Africa & United Kingdom (UK)

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…

Mental Health Weekly Focus

Mental Health Weekly Focus is a dedicated section of our website that provides curated insights and support on various mental health topics each week. From expert articles and personal stories to practical tips and coping strategies, we aim to foster understanding and promote well-being. Whether you’re seeking guidance for yourself or looking to support someone else, this section serves as a valuable resource for enhancing mental health awareness.

Visit our Weekly Focus

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.
Learn more

GBV

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

Sexual Health

Contraception, antenatal care & termination services, prevention and early detection.
Learn more

HIV / TB / STI

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

LGBTQ+ Health

Awareness, promotion of rights, support groups, responsive health systems.
Learn more

Alcohol & Drugs

Awareness, risk assessment, combating stigma, linkage to specialised services.
Learn more

Disabilities

Awareness, advocacy and promotion of rights, support groups.
Learn more

Covid-19

Disease prevention and control, including capacity building at institutions.
Learn more

Latest News & Social Media

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

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.

Learn more
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