Pimville health drive offers diabetes screening, HIV tests and fitness support
A local health drive brought diabetes screening, HIV testing and fitness activities to the Pimville community.
The Crystal Fountain (CF) hosted a Diabetes and Pre-World Aids Day Drive in Pimville Zone 2, Soweto, on November 13.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated annually and commemorates the birth of Sir Frederick Banting, the scientist who discovered insulin, an essential medicine for controlling diabetes.
The day brought healthcare services to the community as an alternative to going to the local clinic.
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The Sivukile Fitness Club (SFC) joined community members interested in an aerobic session, and supported them before having their vitals checked.
The CF was founded in 1999 to aid the homeless and individuals with terminal illnesses linked to HIV/Aids in Soweto.
They later recognised additional community needs and moved to address various social, cultural, religious and economic challenges in the community.
Malibongwe Nyembe, a HIV testing services supervisor at the CF, said, “We are here to offer services, such as blood pressure, blood glucose, HIV testing, health talks on diabetes management and HIV/Aids prevention.
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“We also had information on healthy lifestyle habits and the benefits of exercise. We came to the community to offer these, especially to our elderly, because we know that going to the local clinic can be a problem at times.”
Lehlohonolo Tsunyane, a fitness instructor at the CF, told the Urban News that keeping fit helps with physical and mental health, especially for the elderly. He instructs the SFC women daily and has seen the difference.
“I am grateful for this drive and that it is taking place in our community. Some of us dread going to local clinics because they get full.
“However, some of us do not know that our vitals are off. It is through these events that we find out and take a stand,” said Adelaide Kutoane from the SFC.
She concluded that with the daily exercises, she feels younger and healthier than ever, and that meeting up with the ladies makes a difference.
The session was informative and fun for all who participated.
