Professional Health staff of Western Cape Government Health in the Cape Winelands have during this past week and weekend undertaken numerous activities to ensure that a large portion of the community have direct access to preventative health services.

The Polio and Measles Immunisation campaign that is currently underway includes a door-to-door component. In the small town of Wolseley staff vaccinated well over 360 children during a morning campaign.

Health Services in the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester and Montagu further extended their services during the past weekend by participating in the National Rotary Family Health Days initiative, which brought preventative health services to over 30 venues in the Western Cape.

Services included:

• HCT
• TB screening
• Chronic disease counselling and testing:
  • Diabetes and blood pressure
  • BMI (body mass index)
• Child health:
  • Polio and measles vaccination,
  • Deworming and vitamin A administration
  • Height, weight and sight evaluation
  • Advice on nutrition
• Women’s health
  • Breast risk screening and self breast examination technique
  • Referral for cervical screening
  • Birth control choices
  • Bookings for sterilisations and vasectomies
• Booking and referral for male medical circumcision
• Oral health (dental care) and eye care were offered at some venues

Well over 1 600 patients in the Cape Winelands accessed these services.

Western Cape Minister of Health Mr Theuns Botha, who visited a venue in the Eden District stated, “It is this kind of event that exhibits the true value of partnerships that the department form with organisations like Rotary International.  Through this partnership, people will receive is guidance and counselling on health matters, such as breast and blood glucose screening that can be lifesaving.”