Staff from Ikhwezi Clinic and some local organisations in Lwandle held an open day event at the clinic on Friday 28 March where they informed the community about available services at the facility.
Ikhwezi manager Susan Swart described the occasion as a special event. She said it is a first of its kind.
“It is the first time we are holding such an event and we are planning to do it as an annual event. We are engaging with the community and telling them about the services that we are providing.
“This is part of our health awareness campaign where we encourage people to do testing. We educate them more about chronic disease management.”
Swart said some of the free services include HIV testing and screening, basic antenatal care, STI assessment and treatment, family planning etc.
She said besides educating the community, the aim is to encourage them to visit the clinic regularly for examination.
She stated that they want the community to own and utilise the clinic wisely.
However, Swart highlighted staff shortage as one of their main challenges, which makes their job difficult.
Thobeka Mzinyathi-Spani, the founder of Inimba Phakama Rise organisation – one of the organisations involved in the event, said they focus more on health issues.
She said they encourage parents and young boys particularly who are preparing to go to the mountain to visit professional practitioners to examine them if they are fit to go.
Inimba is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes and educates the community about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
Mzinyathi-Spani said they visit communities and educate them about the importance of living a clean life and staying away from substance abuse.
She stated that they work closely with the clinic.
Resident Lumka Beyele described the event as informative. She said she wishes that the clinic management can do it quarterly.
“It is important for them to keep on informing about the services that they are providing. They are opening our minds. And I like the fact that they are so quick, you don’t have to spend hours sitting on the chair waiting for the doctor,” she said. Beyele urged the community to attend such events.
