The Mpumalanga Department of Health, in partnership with Rotary Family Health Days SA for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, successfully hosted the latest Rotary Family Health Day at Elukwatini Stadium.
The event was hosted on Friday October 31.
This event continues a more than decade-long mission to significantly improve the health and well-being of people in South Africa’s most disadvantaged and hard-to-reach communities.
A decade of integrated healthcare access
For over ten years, the Rotary Family Health Days initiative has been a vital lifeline, providing millions of South Africans with essential, integrated health services.
These critical interventions include:
- HIV and TB screening
- Cancer testing
- Mental health assessments
- Immunisation
- Other essential health services
This sustained initiative serves as a shining example of effective collaboration.
It demonstrates how civil society, government, the private sector, and development partners can unite to deliver a real and measurable impact on the health outcomes of communities across the nation.
Aligning with the “1 Million Campaign”
This year’s event in Elukwatini saw an impressive turnout, a clear reflection of a robust community mobilisation campaign.
This effort was strategically aligned with the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi’s, and recently launched “1 Million Campaign”. This national initiative aims to drastically close the health gap in underserved communities, making events like the Rotary Family Health Day pivotal to its success.
Minister Motsoaledi addresses adherence and innovation
During his address, Dr. Motsoaledi stressed the critical importance of adhering to prescribed medication. He also introduced two significant advancements in the fight against HIV:
- Lenacapavir: An innovative injectable and oral medication used for both the prevention and treatment of HIV in specific cases.
- The 6MMD (Six-Month Multi-Month Dispensing) Programme: A revolutionary healthcare model that allows stable HIV patients to receive a six-month supply of medication in a single visit, thereby reducing necessary clinic visits to just twice a year.
A call for men to prioritise their health
Dr. Motsoaledi also issued a crucial call to action, specifically urging men to take responsibility for their health. He highlighted that the persistent health gap is largely exacerbated by many men neglecting regular check-ups and essential medical care.
