Caxton partners with Rotary to fight HIV/Aids

Caxton community newspapers around the country, including the Bedfordview and Edenvale News, have teamed up with Rotary and the Department of Health to fight HIV/AIDS and TB through family health days taking place from Wednesday to Friday at 120 sites in all nine provinces.

Advertisements and editorials have been included in all Caxton’s newspapers for the past few weeks promoting the campaigns in their respective areas.

Other major partners in the initiative are MTN SA Foundation and the SABC.

This campaign follows on Rotary International’s crusade to eradicate polio world-wide which was astoundingly successful.

The focus has now moved to HIV/AIDS in Africa, South Africa in particular.

Inspired by US Rotarian Marion Bunch, this will be the third Rotary Family Health Day campaign and the biggest so far.

The organisers aim to provide free health screenings and immunisations to about 75 000 community members.

The various clubs – together with their respective local partners – also provide other medical help,including blood pressure testing, diabetes, sight problems, safe circumcisions, etc. In some areas, the Department of Home Affairs have also set up mobile stations to help with IDs and birth certificates.

Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon will assist in the Angelo Informal Settlement in Boksburg.

Luthuli Museum, Illembe, in Kwa-Zulu Natal, has been chosen this year for Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to launch the campaign, together with Caxton and all respective partners attending.

“I invite all community members in South Africa to attend these Rotary Family Health Days,” said Dr Motsoaledi.

“This event gives an impetus to the department’s efforts for integrated mass health screenings in a bid to promote healthy lifestyles.”

For more information go to: https://rfha.org.za/ or dial *120#7343# or 0800 012 322 or www.health.gov.za.