Rotary conducts second rural health campaign
The information gathered about these residents was logged digitally and will be analysed by the CDC for further care.
A clean bill of health was the order of the day at the second nation-wide Rotary Family Health Days campaign.
Again, the team of Rotary Krugersdorp set up shop in the Living Water Church where they met with residents of the nearby informal settlements Tudor Shaft and Soul City.
The campaign was conducted with Rotary SA and the Department of Health’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
This year Rotary SA took hands with Caxton’s Local News Network to spread the word about their Health Days.
From 3 to 4 April local Rotary members and professionals took time out of their busy schedules to monitor and assess various health issues within these informal settlements.
Once inside the church the residents found volunteers, doctors and experts ready to assist them with blood pressure tests, HIV counselling, eye exams and dental check-ups. Dietary requirement and women sanitary education also were done during these three days.
The information gathered about these residents was logged digitally and will be analysed by the CDC for further care.
When the NEWS visited the church, over 60 families already have come for a check-up. Numerous young mothers with their infants were waiting their turn while some elderly folk had tea while they waited.
Rotary members Heins and Elisabeth Franke, Chloë Zapheriou and Dr David Jankelowitz were on hand to assist the people from the informal settlements.
This year more sites than last year were set up for the Health Days, which means that more data will be captured about disease control within SA’s rural areas. Therefore these Health Days are considered a cornerstone of rural healthcare.
The data also will help local government to understand the educational needs within informal communities.
All residents who have high blood pressure, abnormally high blood sugar and TB were referred to the nearest facilities for further treatment.
Those who tested HIV positive also were referred for further treatment.
With this campaign considered a national success, its potential to grow can be attributed to the dedication of the Rotary members, volunteers and Department of Health care workers.
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