Today, healthcare workers, volunteers and partners took the 'promoting health saves lives' message and services to people in taxi ranks, train and bus stations in the City of Johannesburg. 1 078 people were able to access HIV counselling and testing services during this campaign.
With the growing incidence of chronic diseases of lifestyles, new drug regimens and health programmes being introduced; the health department reached out to patrons with services and information in areas out of clinic and/or hospital setting.
Hundreds of people who went pass the Johannesburg Park station, Bree, MTN Noord and Faraday Taxi ranks grabbed opportunities to have tests done, talk to healthcare professionals outside of a clinic or hospital and learn more about the new fixed dose combination drugs. Many more did not miss an opportunity to have their blood pressures, blood sugar and eyes tested at the station.
The key programmes that were promoted included HIV Counselling and Test, Tuberculosis screening and treatment, distribution of condoms, cervical cancer screening, prevention of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, and counselling on the fixed dose combination for antiretroviral treatment.
According to healthcare workers who participating reaching out to citizens provides an opportunity for people, especially those who work or seek work, to access healthcare and information. "People asked questions that have been bothering them and others had an opportunity to have health checks done because, for an example, they have been worried about the risks of heart disease," said Ms Thandi Chaana Chief Director in the Gauteng Health Department. Women were encouraged to have cervical and breast cancer screen because early detection makes a difference between proper management and untimely death.
The health department will be taking similar services to other public areas such as the Germiston and Marabastad train and taxi stations in the coming weeks. The many focus of the department is to promote health in order to encourage people to visit clinics more frequently without waiting until they are sick.
