WATCH: Open Day at Bellavista Clinic

City of Johannesburg’s Department of Health and Social Development, in partnership with different stakeholders, hosted an open day at Bellavista Clinic on March 18.

Ops manager at the clinic, Mbali Mlambo, said the purpose of the day was to reach out to the community of Region F.

“We wanted to introduce all our stakeholders and their functions to the community. This is possible as we are on level one and the restrictions are eased. The community must make use of these stakeholders because there are readily available and are there to help them,” she said.

Community healthcare worker Patricia Malebane said some of the community members do not know them and their core functions. “That is why in some homes they don’t open doors for us, they don’t know us. We wear navy and white attire and some of us have name tags and if you want to verify us call 011 433 1593.

“Our core functions, we are visiting homes to trace the defaulters, do referrals, check on babies from birth, visit the pregnant women and educate. And depending on the month, we do awareness education, like this month it is about tuberculosis.

“The community need to know that we only help those who live alone, if you have someone at home we don’t necessarily help. We want those who have no one to help them,” explained Patricia.

Pregnant women can visit the clinic for post and antenatal classes. Lilly Wilson from Flourish administers the classes.

Other stakeholders present were Touch of Care, Sanca, Believers Care Society, the clinic committee, Anova, Nicdam and W/Bots. Home Affairs Department sent their apology as they couldn’t come.

Ward 55 councillor Rashieda Landis thanked all who attended and she reiterated that these are free services and the community need to make use of them.

“Thank you to all and especially to the frontline staff, thank you for your services and everything you’ve done for us,” she said.