Dozens come out to get tested

Alexandra residents came out in numbers to get screened for illnesses.

The tests were carried out at the Fourth Avenue Clinic and were part of the City of Johannesburg’s community outreach programme.

Ike Kekana, programme coordinator said, “We are screening community members for HIV, prostate cancer, TB, blood pressure and other illnesses. We have volunteers who also do door to door visits and they give community members health information,” he said. The programme, which was well-received in Alex, was done in partnership with local NGOs.

Kekana said if a person tested positive for HIV or any other illness, counselling was provided for that person. “People have shown that these services are needed here. They are not reluctant to get tested. If we find that person is sick we encourage and refer them to the right programme,” he said.