Rotary campaign aids in rural health
More than 500 people from the Perskebult and Blood River areas flocked to Mmasesha Primary School where the Rotary Clubs of the city recently hosted a Family Health Campaign. Members of the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100, the Rotary Anns and the Rotary Club of Polokwane were assisted by officials from the Limpopo Department of …
More than 500 people from the Perskebult and Blood River areas flocked to Mmasesha Primary School where the Rotary Clubs of the city recently hosted a Family Health Campaign.
Members of the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100, the Rotary Anns and the Rotary Club of Polokwane were assisted by officials from the Limpopo Department of Health (DOH) and workers from Polokwane Municipality.
The Rotary members managed the reception desk and recorded details of patients that had to be referred to DOH for specialised tests and treatment.
Five social workers from the DOH put their knowledge of the circumstances of the area to work and provided 125 washable sanitary kits to female learners, while 112 persons were tested for HIV/Aids and 66 screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In one of the school’s classrooms, a team of Rotarians did basic eyesight screening and assisted visitors to select the correct reading glasses that were provided at R20 each. More than 160 persons registered for the service, while 114 sets of reading glasses were given out. Details of 39 people were taken for referral to DOH. Rotarian Orrie Baragwanath was in charge of the screening and said that he was overwhelmed by the reaction of some of the recipients of the spectacles. “A senior female told me that she could only see figures at a distance but could not read or write. Asking what she needed the spectacles for, she replied that she wanted to see her grandchildren. Once she fitted the spectacles that were chosen, she exclaimed that she could see the grandchildren and that a new life has started for her,” Baragwanath said.
President of the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100, Peter Mockford thanked all the participants for their input and mentioned that the sanitary kits and reading glasses were sourced by Blessman Ministries, a non-profit organisation that originates from the United States of America and that is an active partner of the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100.
Story & photos: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com
