Jesselton University College (JUC) is committed to improving access to basic services for all through institutional programmes that address health, nutrition, child health, and the needs of vulnerable and underserved communities. In 2025, JUC organised and directly provided access through a range of community initiatives offering free health screening, preventive health education, nutrition counselling, child health education, and mobility assistance. These initiatives were designed to reduce financial, informational, geographical, and physical barriers that may prevent individuals from accessing essential services.
On 28 August 2025, JUC organised a free HIV/AIDS awareness and health screening programme through its Student Affairs Department and Counselling Unit. The programme combined preventive health education with free health screening services, providing participants with direct access to basic preventive healthcare without participation fees. The programme also provided information on HIV transmission, prevention, associated health impacts, and responsible health practices. JUC’s institutional activity report confirms that the programme was conducted at JUC on 28 August 2025 and organised by the Student Affairs Department. HIV AIDS.docx The report also documents its focus on HIV transmission, prevention, and associated social, psychological, and health impacts.
The health screening services were open to everyone, including students, staff, and members of the public, and were provided free of charge. By combining preventive health education with direct screening services, the programme improved access to preventive healthcare while reducing financial and informational barriers to obtaining basic health information and screening.
JUC also conducted a free health education programme addressing child health and child mortality in 2025. The programme was open to all without participation fees and provided accessible information on factors affecting child health, preventive healthcare practices, early identification of health risks, and the importance of obtaining appropriate healthcare services in a timely manner. Through preventive health education and greater community awareness of health risks affecting children, the programme aimed to strengthen understanding of preventive healthcare practices related to child health and child mortality and improve awareness of when and how to access appropriate health services.
In addition, JUC implemented a free nutrition counselling programme for rural communities in 2025 as part of its community outreach activities. The programme was open to all members of the participating communities and provided nutrition education and counselling without participation fees. It focused on improving access to reliable nutrition guidance, promoting healthier dietary practices, and strengthening community understanding of the relationship between nutrition and overall health.
By bringing nutrition counselling directly to rural communities, JUC sought to reduce geographical and resource barriers that may limit access to health and nutrition information. Community members were able to access the programme within their communities without having to travel to the university. This approach supports more inclusive access to nutrition as a basic health service, particularly for communities where access to health and nutrition resources may be more limited.
JUC further supported vulnerable community members through the provision of wheelchairs at no cost to eligible beneficiaries with mobility needs. The initiative was designed to reduce physical mobility barriers experienced by persons requiring assistive devices and improve their ability to undertake daily activities and access healthcare and other essential community services. The wheelchair assistance complements JUC’s health and community programmes by addressing physical barriers that can restrict vulnerable individuals from reaching and benefiting from essential services.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate JUC’s institutional approach to improving access to basic services for all. Through free health screening, HIV/AIDS preventive health education, child health and child mortality education, rural nutrition counselling, and mobility assistance, JUC directly supports access to basic health and nutrition services while reducing financial, geographical, informational, and physical barriers experienced by different groups within the community.
These programmes contribute to SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, reflecting JUC’s continuing commitment to inclusive community well-being and equitable access to essential services.
