Taking healthcare to the people
Gamalakhe Community Health Centre provided healthcare services to 300 people in the Okhalweni area.
The Gamalakhe Community Health Centre (CHC) visited the Okhalweni area, where more than 300 people received healthcare services last week.
Wanda Msomi, a resident, said he was happy that the CHC had chosen his neighbourhood, saying that the programme benefited many who dreaded the long walk to the centre.
The CHC is materialising KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane’s call to send ‘hospitals to the people’ (Isibhedlela Kubantu) which is aimed at assisting those who have to walk long distances to health facilities.
Lifa Radebe, the CHC’s PRO, said 29 people were treated for minor ailments and three others were referred to a doctor at the CHC.
Radebe said 32 men were tested for HIV at the men’s clinic, and were confirmed as negative.
A further 86 people saw the optometrist and 10 were referred to the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital for cataract removal.
Also, nine people received rehab services and four were given walking sticks. Another 100 people were screened for tuberculosis.
“Some 218 children were attended to during the visit. The reasons for coming in varied from regular check-ups to immunisations. Five women were screened for cervical cancer,” said Radebe.
He added that they hoped to visit many areas that are not too far from their facility.
