NGO promotes health
In a bid to accelerate the uptake of Covid-19 vaccinations and treat other illnesses in informal settlements, NGO Right To Care partnered with Fresh Fire Ministries in Kuyasa to take a wellness campaign around Khayelitsha last weekend.
Community members had tests and screenings done for Covid-19, blood pressure, sugar levels, tuberculosis, HIV and hypertension, as well as for other illnesses and chronic conditions.
Testing took place at various centres in the country. The two organisations went into communities, churches, schools and even shopping centres and malls to call people to get vaccinated.
Programme co-ordinator Xolisa August said the partnership with Fresh Fire Ministries was to service congregants and community members with the assistance of ward councillors.
He said healthier people are happier and more productive.
“The programme is about offering our people information. We want to have a healthy community. Without people there is no community that is why they have to know their health status. After we’ve screened or noticed some illness we refer them to the health facilities. But we are delighted that people turned up and tested and screened,” he said.
His colleague Nomfundo Eland said the wellness day was to help community members find balance in spiritual and physical health.
She notes that a wellness programme can foster positive change and can encourage people to be more responsible in treating the health risks to which they may be exposed.
“In most cases people do not know they have any diseases. This campaign is about them taking care of themselves by doing the right things and being more responsible. We are happy to serve them,” she said.
She added that the organisation is open to new partnerships and look forward to making more of these interventions.
Community member Nkuphiwa Rhigala applauded the organisation and said more campaigns like that one are needed. She said most people cannot afford travelling far for testing and screening and the campaign did the right thing.
