The Nyamazwe School in Driefontein was the venue for a recent joint Medical Outreach Programme between the Islamic Medical Association (Ladysmith branch), Al-Imdaad Foundation, Nambithi Care Givers, Operation Sukuma Sakhe led by Simon Gumede and the Health Department under the Supervision of Sister Mdunge.
On a scorching day, over 350 patients were seen. Eye screening together with provision of spectacles proved the most popular.
The dentists were hard at work and numerous extractions were performed.
This was preceded by a talk by an oral hygienist who educated the patients with regard to optimal dental care. Blood pressure readings together with diabetic screening was also provided and many new diabetics were diagnosed.
In addition patients were attended to for chronic ailments. The Al-Imdaad Foundation provided walking sticks to the aged and the infirm together with hygiene packs. The hygiene packs were very well received by the patients in this impoverished area.
It was indeed a joy to see people who had come in with poor vision walking off happily with their eyesight restored. Learners from the Islamic Educational Centre were part of the Outreach team and played a pivotal role in registering and streamlining patients on a day that proved to be extremely busy and exhausting.
A special thanks to Ms Khumalo and Ms Mvemve, who are both educators at Nyamanzwe School, for providing an excellent venue and ensuring that everything ran smoothly.
