Free healthcare check-up for pupils

ACORNHOEK – This is being implemented by its healthcare professionals who voluntarily go to schools to screen pupils for sight, hearing and dental problems, and other health issues.

According to one of the foundation’s professionals, Dr Inez Allin, the initiative started after they had realised that sometimes the problem begins without the children, parents, or teachers noticing there is one, and that can lead to a delay in learning to read or write.

Allin said the Tshemba Foundation aims to help children in rural areas obtain access to basic healthcare services that can make a difference in their school careers.

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“We identified there is a need to go to the schools because some kids do not have access to the healthcare services they need. Screening for certain health conditions in schoolchildren is important and common practice. The reason is to pick up any issues with hearing and vision, as well as some other problems, as early as possible. If we pick them up, these children are referred to the local clinic or hospital where they can get further treatment.” Allin added that the last outreach was to Sekanyane Primary School where they screened about 30 children for visual, 40 children for hearing and about 15 for other issues. She said they hope to reach more schools and children in the coming months.