Free health screenings at medical centre in Mohlakeng
A medical centre in Mohlakeng recently offered free health screenings at Umphakathi Mall and residents are encouraged to be one step ahead.
Mkhawana Medical Centre hosted an open day where it treated residents to free screenings and awareness regarding preventative health.
On December 7, the medical centre offered free screenings at Umphakathi Mall. This included blood pressure, sugar levels, cholesterol, vision and body mass index screenings. The centre also offered free HIV testing and gave out condoms to spread awareness about protected sexual relations.
The founder of the medical centre and general practitioner, Courage Mkhawana, stated he opened the practice after seeing multiple people admitted to the hospital in non-emergency situations.
“This centre was opened just to close the gap and allow people to get proper referrals to the hospital,” he explained.
Mkhawana is a Tsonga-speaking healthcare practitioner and has been registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa since 2009. His qualifications include two bachelor’s degrees, two diplomas, two postgraduate diplomas and about seven certificates concerning healthcare.
“I was raised by my grandmother as a child and she would always say that I was going to become a doctor. So, I became a doctor to make her proud, but in the process, I fell in love with healthcare. I saw a lot of people die and I wanted to correct that narrative,” he expressed.
One of his biggest motivations is seeing people coming into his centre distressed and seeing them leave relieved.
Mkhawana has had a few incidents where he helped residents through their medical challenges. He still recalls a specific incident.
“A gentleman with stage four HIV and TB arrived at the hospital. The hospital staff told him that there was nothing they could do to help him with his health. I decided that day that I would treat him and help him. He is still alive today. This one incident has stuck with me since then,” he said.
“It is often said that charity begins at home. I say that everything begins at home; including your health. It is a person’s own responsibility to check their health regularly. Preventative health is the most important. Do not wait to be sick but rather do your regular screenings and checkups. Young children, especially, need to be up to date with their vaccinations,” he concluded.
