Women’s health city’s top priority
Health Department has established women's health clinics throughout the city.
The old saying, ‘Prevention is better than cure’ is one that the City of Joburg firmly believes in.
It is for this reason the Health Department has established women’s health clinics in the 82 public healthcare facilities throughout the city.
The purpose of women’s health clinics is to afford all women the opportunity to be assessed for certain health conditions. This enables treatment to be administered before complications set in. In some cases, these conditions can be prevented if they are diagnosed early.
Issues dealt with by the clinics include cervical cancer, breast cancer, contraception, HIV and maternal health.
Deputy Director of Public Health, Elionora Lebethe, said, “The city regularly holds health awareness campaigns to encourage women to utilise these facilities.”
Health workers in the various regions assist in creating awareness of these issues, ensuring that women know where to go for women-related services. “Our promoters also address issues of antenatal care to ensure a healthy pregnancy,” Lebethe says.
The clinics offering these services include those in Davidsonville, Helderkruin, Roodepoort (Rex Street), Princess and Weltevreden Park, to name but a few.
South Africa has the biggest HIV treatment programme in the world and has managed to reduce mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) significantly since 2008.
According to Elionora, one of the major benefits of women starting antenatal care early, is the HIV test that is done. This ensures they can be placed in a PMTCT prevention strategy if the test is positive.
During July 2014 to June 2015 a total of 49 634 antenatal clients were seen at these healthcare facilities.
The clinics also offer family planning services as well as education on contraception methods and how to avoid sexually transmitted infections.
Cancer is a reality for all women and the two most common cancers affecting them are cervical and breast cancer.
Global figures show that about 500 000 women die from breast cancer and and another 500 000 die from cervical cancer every year.
Early detection and treatment can often lead to a cure – that is why the national government has now made the Human Papiloma Vaccine available for protection of girls from the age of nine.
In 2014, a school campaign was started to immunise Grade 4 girls attending public schools. Some of the primary schools in Roodepoort were also part of this campaign and their girls were vaccinated, and a total of 10 334 girls were immunised. The 2016 campaign is already under way and ends on 6 September.
The clinics also offer Pap smears to screen for cervical cancers and all abnormal results are referred to hospitals for further investigation and management.
Elionora concluded by saying, “Women are encouraged to do breast self-examination. We demonstrate the technique to women so they can carry out their own breast exam monthly, as advised”.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
Also read:
Show support by wearing purple
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
