Idibano launches mobile digital chest x-ray clinic
Grace Radebe, assistant director for TB at Sedibeng District Health Services, said that they are very excited that Indibano will be offering this important service to the key population and going to their hotspots, as some of them don’t come to clinics for their check-ups.
VEREENIGING – Indibano Victim Empowerment Project recently launched the first of its kind Mobile Digital Chest X-ray Unit, with TB screening targeting the key population, which includes sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people, and people who inject drugs (PWID).
The launch, which served as a powerful reminder of what collaboration, compassion and innovation can achieve, was joined by the Sedibeng District Health Services, Vereeniging Ward councillor Prudence Hlanyane, healthcare professionals, Jamela Rehabilitation Centre and the community at large.
Speaking to Ster North, Lawrence Sibanda, programme manager at Indibano, said the process is quick and gets done within 10 minutes, wherein patients get their results immediately after screening.
Sibanda said that most people who will make use of the services do not usually go to the clinic.
“This programme is essential to managing the spread of TB and ensuring that those who are infected are referred to local clinics and get started on treatment immediately, as we do not offer treatment.”
On the day, patients registered their information on the Indibano database and got screened, offering them a first experience of the kind of service they will get from the clinic.
Grace Radebe, assistant director for TB at Sedibeng District Health Services, said that they are very excited that Indibano will be offering this important service to the key population and going to their hotspots, as some of them don’t come to clinics for their check-ups.
Radebe said that it is easy for the key population, especially those living on the streets, to get infected with TB without realising, as it is an airborne disease.
“We are grateful for stakeholders such as Indibano because having a mobile clinic means that they will be able to reach places and people that we are not able to reach, as most of our facilities are fixed. They are taking care of our drug users. Indibano is taking care of them, ensuring that they are healthy. We have a high death rate in Sedibeng, so this programme is very helpful.”
