By Sr Laverne Stebbing | Clinical Manager
Wow, the last few months of 2024 have been jam-packed at Hlokomela as we engage with our local community to boost awareness about breast cancer awareness. For the second year in a row though, we did not leave men behind as we celebrated men’s health too. Thanks to our GlobalGiving family, we were able to reach more people!
Tekkies4Tieties Breast Cancer Awareness event
October was Breast Cancer Awareness month. To create more awareness about this preventable cancer, Hlokomela partnered with Rotary Hoedspruit for the 3rd annual Tekkies4Tieties event on 26 October 2024 at Bosveld Village outside Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province South Africa. 106 men, women and children (and some well-dressed dogs!) participated in the fun walk alongside cancer survivors from the Hoedspruit community. There were exciting prizes on offer for the best dressed individuals, teams and dogs so it was a fun event for all who attended.
Men’s Health Awareness event / Movember
On 29 November 2024, Hlokomela held its second annual Boeries for Prostates event. Hlokomela partnered with local businesses to raise awareness about men’s health, especially prostate cancer, during Movember. The event was a great success with 71 men who had prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and a general health check-up, including blood pressure and blood glucose, done at Hoedspruit Padel Sport Club.
Monthly adherence and support groups at Hlokomela clinics
Health education and treatment support is one of the most important factors in sustaining lifelong chronic treatment adherence. Hlokomela is passionate about health education and equipping patients with knowledge as to why adherence to chronic treatment is important. Monthly adherence groups and support groups are conducted for clients who are still somewhat resistant in understanding and taking responsibility for their own health.
Ultrasound training for clinical staff
Sr Mankoana Motswi underwent basic foetal and obstetric ultrasound training during October 2024 which will further assist Hlokomela to strengthen the referral pathway toward better maternal health. We are very excited about this training as it once again opens up an opportunity for impoverished to low- and middle-income women from rural villages who would not have access to these services otherwise. Sr Motswi also attended basic breast ultrasound training at Tintswalo Hospital in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga Province. Since her training, every female patient visiting Hlokomela Clinic has the opportunity to have a breast ultrasound conducted. Hlokomela staff also benefit from this opportunity as nurses tend to care for everyone else but sometimes forget about their own wellbeing.
Partnering for Child Survival, Development and Thriving
Always striving for holistic patient care, Hlokomela Clinic is excited to support pregnant mothers who participate in the Child Survival, Development and Thriving project in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Our aim is to reach 2000 children with health and nutrition services, which includes immunisations and establishing food gardens at early childhood development centres.
Links:
By Desire Wright | Human Resources Manager
By Christine du Preez | Director
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