Health road show draws hundreds at PanAfrica
ALEXANDRA - A health oriented road show was held at Pan Africa shopping centre recently drawing in many people to its free services.
A health-oriented road show was held at Pan Africa shopping centre recently, drawing many people to its free services.
The week-long show, hosted by Brothers for Life in partnership with Zazi and Mothusampilo Project, is a health mobilising and awareness initiative sponsored by USAid.
It operates through door-to-door visits by community action teams, provides on-site HIV/Aids counselling and testing; advice on male circumcision and referrals to local clinics; and distributes condoms and information on the benefits of family planning – and uses music to attract the public.
The initiative is a five-year project touring all provinces, and uses sports, music and popular personalities to highlight its work. Edward Motale, a former Sundowns and national soccer player was the ambassador on site.
He said many people were attending daily, and the project aimed to reach 12 000 people by the end of the year, including in other provinces.
“The public, especially school children have been very receptive and it seems the stigma [attached to] HIV/Aids is waning, as many people readily avail themselves for testing,” Motale said.
“I credit public education through the distribution of pamphlets, broadcast and print media, the work of health, tertiary institutions and non-profit organisations in creating awareness on the availability of counselling and the treatment of HIV/Aids,” he said.
Motale added that male circumcision was also progressing well. This despite a few instances, especially in rural areas, where communities still relied on bogus traditional practices which endangered the lives of young boys, he said.
“We encourage people to use safe circumcision methods, including for 10-year-old boys, at registered clinics and hospitals. Also, we encourage females to play an active part in urging their male partners to use this modern method for their own health’s sake,”Motale said.
Zazi’s representative Phiwa Malima, praised Alexandra communities for attending in large numbers and for welcoming the community action teams in their homes.
“Our role is to integrate female health issues in the road show and in so doing, give back strength to girls so that they can control their health and life for a better future, irrespective of social status. Anything is possible when they know they have the strength to manage themselves on a daily basis,” Malima said.
Older people also sought health advice from the road show. Sinah Ngobeni and Maria Mabasa said they wanted a general body check to ensure longer lives.
Details: Rodgers Baloyi, Brothers for Life 012 366 9324; www.zazi.org.za
