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PEOPLE'S POST | FALSE BAY Tuesday, 13 August 2019
WOMEN’S MONTH
‘Take care of yourselves’ F
inding balance between work and family life in a fast-paced environment can place significant pressure on women, affecting their mental and physical health. In celebration of International Women’s Day, which is observed annually on 9 August, the provincial department of health encourages women to prioritise their health and to work with them to find ways to improve their mental and general well-being. “Finding balance in our competitive society takes a strain on our women and families and by improving the health of women, this, in turn, enhances the productivity, social and economic participation and development of families. “We are highlighting the importance of prevention and promotion of wellness to build healthy, resilient, wellness-conscious individuals, and families throughout the province,” says Western Cape minister of health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo. The department highlights the services available to women at its health facilities and women are encouraged to take full advantage of their free access to a range of health services available at any public health clinic in the province. The following services are available to women: contraception; pregnancy testing; termination of pregnancy (TOP); antenatal (pre-birth) health care; birth/labour services; post-natal (after-birth) health care; cervical cancer screening; menopause care; tuberculosis (TB) and HIV screening and care; chronic condition care and management; sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and treatment and youth-friendly clinics. They also offer counselling and screening services, which include referrals for mam-
mograms, information on self-examination for breast cancer, general information regarding nutrition and wellness, sexual abuse and rape counselling; as well as mental health screening, counselling and care. The department’s services are not only limited to more mature women, but also available to young women and girls who are particularly vulnerable living in societies with many social challenges. To empower them, the department has partnered with Nacosa to continue with the Young, Women and Girls programme in the Cape Metro Klipfontein area. This programme, which has been funded for another three years by Global Fund, focuses on increasing retention in school, decreasing the HIV incidence and teenage pregnancy, accelerate prevention to reduce new HIV and TB infections and STIs, decrease gender-based violence and increase economic opportunities for our young girls and women living in the Cape Flats. “To ensure that the department reaches its Healthcare 2030 goal towards becoming more person-centred, a Whole of Society Approach (WOSA) is required whereby all roleplayers, partners and government bodies work together to ensure that our women and their families healthcare and other social needs are met to ensure a healthier and more well-balanced lifestyle in the home,” says Mbombo. The Community-Based Services unit of the department partners with non-profit organisations (NPOs) to help women in need find well-balanced lifestyles by utilising Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) to conduct home assessments and assist in finding suitable healthcare assistance, as well as linkages for the family to local clinics
and other government institutions. These home visits by community healthcare workers and healthcare professionals to women and families who are unable to visit their local health facility, form part of a new initiative introduced by the department called the Community Orientated Primary Care (COPC) project. One participant in the COPC project is Sandra Mentoor (67) from Eastridge. She receives a state pension and is the sole breadwinner to a household of five. Mentoor neglected her health to take care of her family and put food on the table. “I was very sceptical when the community health workers knocked on my door to provide home-based healthcare. I had negative experiences from state healthcare which made me avoid going to day hospitals for help,” says Mentoor. “I have diabetes and never took care of my health previously because I had to provide for my family. My neglect led to all my toes being amputated on my right foot which could have been treated and healed with proper care,” Mentoor explained. Because of the CHWs persistence to provide healthcare, Mentoor finally allowed them in her home to start treating her health problem. “Not only did they assist me and got me on the road to recovery, but they managed to link up the rest of my household with the Department of Social Development for assistance and helped to solve educational challenges my grandchildren faced,” says Mentoor. All Women’s Health primary healthcare services are free. V To find out how to make use of these services, visit www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health or your nearest healthcare facility.
Sandra Mentoor being examined at home by Sister Anthea Abrahams as part of the Provincial Health’s Community Orientation project.
Women celebrate fearless womanhood A sold-out event meant a considerable donation to the beneficiaries of the Fearlessly Female Women’s Day Event hosted at Zevenwacht Wine Estate in Kuilsriver on Friday 9 August. The event was presented by TygerBurger, a sister publication of People’s Post, and Spec-Savers. The event featured a cooking demonstration by Jenny Morris, a fashion installation by Ruff Tung and the women were kept entertained by local comedian and event
MC, Mel Jones. The high tea was well attended by women and even a few men from all over the Cape who came to show their support for the event, and in celebration of their womanhood. The organisers would like to thank Ruff Tung, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, Platinum Hair & Beauty, Comfit Care, Ellips, Essence, Skin Clays, Appletiser, Jenny Morris and Mel Jones. See more pictures on our Facebook page.
Trynie Hanekom, Retha Swart, Riana Appelgryn and Rouxline Hancke.
Amina Rylands, Gadija Isreal and Yumna Osman. PHOTOS: SAMANTHA LEE
Mel Jones struts her stuff in a Ruff Tung creation.
Melany Duthie-Surtie and Leigh Jansen.