A WHIPS Nurse attends to an International student on Wellness Day at the Westville campus. UKZN hosts Wellness Days for International Students
UKZN’s International Office hosted a series of Wellness Days in August aimed at improving the health of international students on all five campuses.
Nurses - arranged by organisers, Medical Service Providers Momentum Health and Compcare Wellness - were on hand to do cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar level tests as well as calculate BMI (Body Mass Index) levels.
Ms Vino Krishna, an Assistant at the International Student Office on the Westville campus, said all international students were required to have medical cover. ‘Students registered with the Wellness Day organisers were informed about services available to them,’ said Krishna.
A total of 450 students and visitors from all campuses engaged in the Wellness Day with a total of 245 from both schemes received free testing.
Ms Michele Mboma, a second-year BComm Accounting student from Zimbabwe, said she was hoping to find out basic information, such as where the closest doctors were.
Mr Iliya Yerima, a Chemistry PhD student from Nigeria, suggested the services and terms for international students be made clear on the Momentum website.
An energetic zumba display kept students entertained.
The International office thanked the following companies and individuals for their involvement: Virgin Active; WHIPS; Jade Eyes; Multiply Wellness & Rewards; SOS Optometrists; Motivational speaker and author, Mr Trevor Kleinhans; Momentum Health, and Compcare Wellness.
Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer