Go get screened for mental illness
October is World Mental Health Month and October 10 was commemorated as World Mental Health Day, to heighten global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.
The Ekurhuleni metro’s acting manager for acute and chronic care, Patrick Magodzho, encouraged people not to suffer in silence and seek help as soon as possible.
“Mental health is not only limited to hallucination or schizophrenia, which is mostly mental illness at its advanced stage,” he said.
“It also includes mild mental health problems most people suffer from without even being aware of, or displaying easily noticeable behaviour traits.”
Magodzho said persistent headaches, feelings of depression or being stressed, change in eating patterns, level of socialisation, change to being anti-social, and withdrawal symptoms are some of the indicators of mental health illness family and friends can easily notice.
In this light, for any sign or symptoms of a mental illness, residents are encouraged to visit their nearest primary care facilities or mental health specialist.
All primary healthcare facilities in the metro offer screening services for mental health.
Metro provides resources to boost children’s oral hygiene
A proper oral hygiene routine should be adopted at an early age.
Amanda Nduli, who works as a dentist at a private practice, took it upon himself to contribute to this course after noting dentistry services are offered to people who can already afford to get their teeth washed or polished.
As a recipient of the Ekurhuleni Grant-in-Aid, Nduli, who runs the Amanda Nduli Dental Surgery and Associates (ANDSA) through the funding received from the city, is now able to create beautiful smiles in underprivileged communities by teaching the proper teeth brushing techniques.
The oral hygiene coaching offered by ANDSA is not only limited to schools but the coaching is also extended to old-age homes, crèches, orphanages and any other facilities identified by Ekurhuleni social workers that care for the underprivileged.
During the visits, Nduli and his team demonstrate effective tooth brushing at home for children as young as two years and give away toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash.
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Community Safety MMC strongly condemns mob attacks on firefighters
MMC for Community Safety councillor Vivienne Chauke has condemned the attack on the metro’s firefighters at Emaphupheni Extension 19 in Etwatwa on September 30 by a mob comprising of community members.
One officer sustained injuries after the fire engine they were travelling in was pelted with stones and the fire engine’s window was broken.
The attack happened after two firefighters were dispatched from Etwatwa Fire Station to a burning house in the area and on arrival, they were prevented from proceeding to the scene by some community members, and later while negotiating for access, another group arrived and started stoning the fire engine.
“We encourage communities to be of assistance to firefighters and other emergency services personnel and desist from being elements of obstruction and distraction at the time when that can least be afforded,” said Chauke.
To report any life-threatening emergency, call 011 458 0911, for a non-life-threatening emergency, call 0860 54 3000.
Alternatively, people can call 10177 or 112.
ANC Caucus welcomes the expropriation of land without compensation for public purpose
The ANC Caucus in the metro has welcomed the council’s decision of expropriating four identified land without compensation for public purposes.
This decision was taken in a council meeting held in Germiston Council Chambers on September 27.
Item A-RE 26-2018: Security of Tenure: Expropriation of identified land portions for a public purpose or interest was brought to Council and four political parties, namely the DA, COPE, FF Plus and ACDP, voted against the item.
In total, 107 voted in favour of the item and 75 were against.
“The ANC Caucus is of the view the expropriation of abandoned, dormant and unused land, as well as buildings for public purpose and development, will benefit the people of Ekurhuleni,” said ANC Chief Whip councillor Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
“This will further contribute towards our commitment to building 100 000 houses and 59 000 serviced stands by the end of this current term of office.”
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