THIS year’s Rotary Family Health Days campaign in South Africa will be big in every sense of the word.
The campaign spans three Rotary Districts, 9400, 9370 and 9350 and brings together many volunteers and healthcare workers across the private and public sector. It is also a formal partnership with national government, which has included Rotary Family Health Days on its national calendar, which is a first.
Inspired by US Rotarian Marion Bunch, this will be the third Rotary Family Health Day campaign in South Africa, and the biggest ever. From 7 to 9 October, the organisers aim to provide free health screenings and immunisations to up to 75 000 community members at an estimated 140 sites around the country. This campaign is also being held in Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana.
Rotary Family Health Days 2015 is an example of public-private partnership at its best, and these partnerships are essential for solving the challenges faced by society. Neither government nor the private sector can tackle these on their own. The logistics for the sites will be provided by the National Department of Health with support from Rotary volunteers, while sponsorship is provided by the MTN South Africa Foundation. Media support for awareness of the campaign is vital; this will come from the SABC, the national public broadcaster, along with Caxton and Independent Newspapers, publishers that own many local newspapers around the country. Rotarians for Family Health & Aids Prevention (RFHA) is the convener and managing partner of the program.
A project on this scale cannot happen without commitment and sacrifice from many individuals.
“It is through the dedication and hard work of all partners but particularly the volunteer aspect of many Rotarians on the ground that has made this campaign such a huge success,” said Sue Paget, Southern Africa programme director of Rotary Family Health Days.
The effects of the campaign will be felt long after the last volunteers go home. In bringing together so many South Africans from all walks of life to work as one, Rotary Family Health Days contributes to building a legacy of social cohesion that will ultimately improve the quality of life for everyone.
“It’s hard work, but it is absolutely worth it,” said DG 9400 David Grant.
The Rotary Theme for 2015 is Be a gift to the world. The Rotary Family Health Days have brought this to life in the most meaningful way possible.
