On 25 & 26 July, the North West Department of Health in collaboration with our Zeerust Trucking Wellness Clinic, and other key stakeholders, brought health and hope to the community through a vibrant Closing 1.1 million treatment Gap Campaign.
Activities included 6km health walks, netball & soccer matches and free wellness screenings by Trucking Wellness. From fitness to fun, and screenings to support, the two-day event was a resounding success – promoting healthy living and stronger community connections.
As issued by the Department of Health:
*TSHELA KA ITEKANELO HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND 1.1 MILLION CLOSE THE GAP TREATMENT CAMPAIGN ROLLED OUT IN NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT*
Saturday, 26 July 2025
*Lehurutshe* – The North West Department of Health today concluded a successful two-day rollout of the Tshela Ka Itekanelo Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Campaign and the 1.1 Million Close the Gap Treatment Campaign in Dinokana village, Zeerust, under Ngaka Modiri Molema District. These initiatives form part of a province-wide drive to promote healthy living, responsible behaviour among the youth, safe sexual practices, and the fight against substance and alcohol abuse—while encouraging all citizens to know their HIV status.
Health MEC Sello Lehari led the 5-kilometre fun walk alongside councillors from the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, traditional leaders from Bogosi boo-Rra Moiloa, the acting Deputy Director-General Mosela Mokhutswane-Kaudi, executive management teams, district managers, hospital boards and CEOs, as well as hundreds of community members from across the district.
The event kicked off with a 5KM fun walk, followed by health education sessions and on-site services at the local sports ground. These included HIV testing and counselling, screenings for non-communicable diseases, and general health consultations. The day also featured engaging physical activities such as aerobics, netball, and soccer matches.
These campaigns are a collaborative effort involving the Department of Health, other government departments, municipalities, civil society organisations, key partners, and communities.
*TSHELA KA ITEKANELO HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN*
Part of the Department’s flagship programmes, Tshela Ka Itekanelo was launched in Moretele on 17 April 2025. It seeks to embed healthy lifestyle practices across communities and supports the national agenda to improve public health outcomes through five pillars:
1. Promotion of good nutrition
2. Regular physical activity
3. Tobacco control
4. Combatting alcohol and substance abuse
5. Promotion of safe sexual practices
The campaign also focuses on reducing obesity and encouraging physical activity, especially among youth.
*1.1 MILLION CLOSE THE GAP TREATMENT CAMPAIGN*
This campaign aims to close the treatment gap by ensuring that 1.1 million people across the country are initiated or re-initiated on HIV treatment by December 2025. It also promotes testing and awareness of TB, hypertension, and diabetes.
“As a province, we are on the right track—we currently rank third in the country, and we are intensifying our efforts to close the treatment gap. I am pleased with the turnout and how people are embracing this important programme. Alcohol and substance abuse, excessive smoking, poor dietary habits, and unsafe sexual practices are behaviours we are urging communities to abandon,” said MEC Lehari.
He further commended the participation of local residents, saying:
“We have been to every district, and we will intensify this campaign to ensure meaningful impact. We are especially grateful for the collaboration from our traditional leaders,” he added.
Chief Director for Strategic Health Programmes, Ms Grace Tsele, who oversees both campaigns, expressed optimism about the province’s progress:
“We are encouraged by the positive response from communities. Our goal is to find and support over 11,000 individuals who either do not know their status or have defaulted on treatment.”
These campaigns will continue to be rolled out across the province, with each district scaling up efforts to maximise reach and impact.
