The Department of Health has launched B-Wise, a new mobisite where young South Africans can obtain information, support and expert advice on a range of health ranging from HIV, substance abuse and psychological health.
Back in May, Department of Health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, announced his department would be launching the mobisite and called for entries into a contest to give it a name.
The official launch was held at an event today at in Soshanguve, North of Pretoria.
B-Wise’s targeted mainly at youths between the ages of 10 and 24 and carries the slogan “Health at your fingertips”. According to the department, all information featured is specific to each age group.
Developed by the Praekelt Foundation, which is also behind the MomConnect mobisite which was launched last year, using its Youth Engagement Platform, B-Wise is available in English and isiZulu and will have more South African added language support in future.
You can create a profile and password to join the B-Wise community and be able to post comments.
What you’ll find inside B-Wise:
Live chats
Motsoaledi kicked off the first official live chat on B-Wise today. The live chat covered the topic of substance abuse and allowed users to engage and ask questions directly to the minister, with the option to remain anonymous.
In future, health experts will be holding live chats on various topics
Health articles and polls
Health articles regularly provide basic info and advice on different topics. Already featured topics on B-Wise include dating, peer pressure, health eating, substance abuse and sex. Polls will also be updated, allowing users to vote for or choose an answer to a certain question.
Know Your body
Know Your Body is dedicated to sexual health, teaching you about changes in their bodies and what to expect when certain things happen to them and keeping fit and healthy.
Infectious Diseases
Information, myths and truths on HIV, TB and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Mind Blowing
Mind Blowing is all about helping you deal with mental and psychological health issues.
Your Peeps
Here, you can get tips and advice on rape and bullying and how to get help should they or someone they know be a victim.
Help and Support
You can get contact details of relevant health facilities and organisation they can get in touch with.
[Main image – Twitter]