Free medical services offer relief to residents

A medical camp was held on Sunday at Lennoxton Primary School, where volunteer specialists offered critical health services to residents of Newcastle at no charge.

November 14, 2019

Tersia Gopi 1 minute read

Offering free services of health specialists to those in need, is the aim of the Ramakrishna Clinic of SA – Durban.

A medical camp was held on Sunday at Lennoxton Primary School, where volunteer specialists offered critical health services to residents of Newcastle at no charge.

Chairperson of the Ramakrishna Clinic of South Africa – Durban, Doctor Shivani Singh said eight outreach clinic services were conducted each year.

“Per annum, we see around 4 000 patients in the province, from Stanger to Newcastle. This specialist outreach consists of allied health professionals from optometry to physiotherapy, paediatrics and gynaecological services to name a few,” she explained.

Singh emphasised the services were volunteer-based and the organisation was a non government-funded initiative.

At the medical camp, patients received medical treatment and free eye tests and spectacles.

Medication was also dispensed to the patients.

Dr. Singh went on to explain the benefits of programmes such as this:

“Regardless of faith or race, the services are offered to the community. It is important to take advantage, as an earlier diagnosis is more effective. Patients should not ignore symptoms of illness and if there is no response to treatment, inventive measures need to be taken to diagnose the appropriate treatment.”

The outreach also aimed to promote non-medical aspects such as yoga, to provide a holistic approach to ailments.