Mediwell Dainfern shares commitment to women’s health
Free health checks were offered to women including blood sugar, high blood pressure, and advanced screening tests to help those in need.
![Women gathered to get free health checkups.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/08/MediwellDainfernhea_61338-780x470.jpg)
As South Africa continues to celebrate Women’s Month, Mediwell Dainfern, in collaboration with Dainfern Square and various health and pharmacy providers, launched Femiwell #Healthchecks4women.
This is an initiative that is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of millions of women across the country, with a special focus on employed, yet medically uninsured, women.
Read more: ‘When women thrive, nations thrive’, Mediwell Dainfern shares commitment to women’s health
The CEO of Mediwell Dainfern Dr Maggie Mojapelo-Mokotedi said this initiative aimed to empower women to take control of their health by providing comprehensive health screenings, crucial for early detection and prevention of serious health conditions.
![Founder of Amari Health Onkgopotse Khumalo, Dr Maggie Mojapelo-Mokotedi, and Lindani, and Isabel Ngulube.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/08/MediwellDainfern_80079-520x390.jpg)
On August 16, they offered free health checks, including blood sugar, high blood pressure, hearing, vision, and retinal screenings, as well as advanced screening tests such as skin cancer screening and mole mapping, among others.
Mojapelo-Mokotedi said health checks are vital for women as they play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of various health conditions which can disproportionately affect women, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
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“Regular screenings and health assessments allow for timely intervention, which can significantly reduce the risk of severe outcomes and improve overall health and quality of life. Many health conditions are asymptomatic in their early stages, meaning that without regular health checks, they could go unnoticed until they become more serious and harder to treat.
“For instance, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or blood sugar can remain undetected without routine screenings, potentially leading to heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. Additionally, reproductive health issues such as cervical or breast cancer can be effectively managed, or cured, if detected early through routine screenings like Pap smears and mammograms.”
![Dr Sarah Freeborough and Dr. Maggie Mojapelo-Mokotedi prepare to start screening a patient.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/08/MediwellDainferncel_45777-520x390.jpg)
She said a free Femiwell #Healthchecks4women initiative would be hosted once or twice a year, in collaboration with local healthcare providers, who will be invited to participate in the women’s screening expo going forward.
“We envisage partnering with businesses to subsidise or pay a per diem for their women employees, as well as government for partnerships. Also, to offer screening and intervention, and remote monitoring packages to follow in due course.”
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