Johannesburg – Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko on Friday went on a door-to-door immunisation campaign in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.
The campaign also aims to educate the residents of Freedom Square informal settlement about the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment initiation to prevent health complications.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko explained that the door-to-door campaign was part of the Gauteng Department of Health’s (GDoH) programme of taking healthcare services to communities.
She said such interventions would reduce queues at health facilities, and educate communities about health and wellness.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said, in addition, the door-to-door campaign helps to identify patients who have defaulted on their medication for their chronic diseases.
Such patients are encouraged to resume taking their medication, especially for chronic conditions.
At least 69 children at the informal settlement received their catch-up immunisation during the MEC’s visit.
The vaccinations were for preventing measles and Tetanus Diphtheria. They were also provided with Vitamin A and deworming tablets.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said the GDoH renders a basket of health services for the much older community members, which include STI and HIV testing, hypertension, and diabetes screening, Pap Smear, family planning, and Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
She said more than 150 people tested for STIs, HIV, hypertension, and diabetes.
Six residents did Pap smear screening.
Five women received an implant contraceptive device for prevention of pregnancy, and one person got initiated on PrEP to protect against HIV infection.
It was recently discovered that at Sethokga Hostel many children had missed their routine immunisation, as per the Road to Health Card.
There was also a significant number of people who have defaulted on their HIV and TB treatment.
The majority of these individuals reside at Freedom Square informal settlement.
