6 minute read
THE MEDICS IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES with Basson van Rooyen
WITH BASSON VAN ROOYEN
THE MEDICS IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES
There is a group of professional men for whom social responsibility is an undertaking not limited to the corporate world. Medic RUSH (Rural Upliftment Social Healthcare) has been operating for ten years and is run by members of the Hochland 154 Round Table – men who “emphasize the fact that one’s calling offers an excellent medium of service to the community.” They have just completed their annual mission to supply much-needed healthcare to remote corners of Namibia.
MYD spoke to Basson van Rooyen, Chairman of the Hochland 154 Round Table, to find out more about their Medic RUSH project and the communities that have been assisted through it.
“We take medical professionals, doctors, nurses, dentists and optometrists out to rural areas, where Namibians would not normally have access to primary healthcare. A clinic is run over three days and patients can visit for free, be seen by a doctor and receive their required medication. Many times it’s those who don’t have the means to get to a hospital or doctor that we
are able to help,” Basson explains.
He goes on to tell about their most recent visit. “We went to farms situated along the southern border of Etosha, where primarily San communities have been resettled. There have been two schools built recently but there is very little in terms of healthcare. The closest clinic or help is in Outjo. We visited three communities in the area: Seringkop, Werda and Balakai. We were very well received by the communities and everyone visiting the clinic got an opportunity to see a doctor.
“Over the three days, we were able to see 380 patients,” says Basson, explaining that this means 380 people were assisted by a nurse, had a consultation with a doctor and were given any necessary medication free of charge. “All this
without having to travel large distances, which is what would normally be required to receive this healthcare.”
It’s a massive project, and even more impressive when you hear that it’s all volunteer-based, and that the people doing means they do not have access to healthcare. Medic RUSH
this project are doing so in their spare time. Basson notes: community. We create a platform where people can become
“Quite a lot of work goes into a project like this. Every year, doctors, nurses and volunteers give their time for free, to go out to the clinics, to help the communities.
“It’s a team effort,” explains Basson, who notes that their team includes the sponsors. “We need to transport everyone and everything to remote locations. We take along all the medical equipment and medication that will be needed. Nampower
WWW.ROUNDTABLENAMIBIA.COM
and Standard Bank have really been great supporters of this project over the years. Without them, there would be no way of seeing to as many people as we do.”
Explaining why Hochland 154 Round Table chose to assist with healthcare in remote areas of Namibia, Basson says, of the medical facilities concentrated around larger towns and cities. For many individuals, not living around the main centres tries to reach these people and deliver a service not normally accessible to them.
“For me, Round Table is an organisation where young, energetic people can get together to give their time and expertise to help those around us and the Namibian friends, network and combine their skills. People have the opportunity to learn from much more experienced mentors, and are able to gain valuable skills.”
Get involved or support this and other Hochland 154 Round Table initiatives through their Facebook page, @Hochland.154. RT, or the Round Table Namibia website,
“Namibia is a vast and sparsely populated country, with most
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Their support includes contributions and sponsorships to Augustineum Secondary School, the Namibia Internet Government Forum, the #TshipahuSoccerTournament, Baumgartsburg Primary School, the Tobias Hainyeko Soccer League and the Windhoek Central Hospital’s Cancer Ward, amongst others.
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Based in Goreangab township in Windhoek, Side by Side operates as a day care and early intervention centre for families of children with special needs in very poor communities. Their mission is to provide early childhood development for children with special needs, to train parents as well as the community and caregivers, and to expand early detection and intervention throughout Namibia.
Disabilities they support include autism, brain damage, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus and developmental delays. Cerebral palsy is especially common among the children.
Co-founder and former director of Side by Side, Sandra Hollweg used her profession and knowledge to create a strong supporting system within the township community. Due to the lack of support for early intervention and pre-primary education for children with special needs, her investment over the last years has made a tremendous impact.
Her passion for these children and their development was contagious and inspiring. In December 2017, when Sandra returned to Germany, Huipie van Wyk took up the position. As a mother of a child with a severe disability, Huipie understands the importance of support through the community as well as through the medical field. Using her drive, knowledge, experience and the contacts she has made over the last seven years, she has been able to improve Side by Side’s service and maintain the pace at which the centre needs to grow in order to meet the demands of the community and Namibian children with special needs.
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• Daycare center (rehabilitation) for 24 children with multiple/ severe disabilities. • Early intervention services accommodating approximately 44 families for early intervention sessions at the centre. • Neuro Natal Clinic attendance with a team of doctors and therapists to diagnose children early and effectively implement the process of early intervention. • Home visits carried out in Okuryangava, Khomasdal and
Goreangab for children who find it challenging to travel due to the severity of their special needs. • Parent workshops on ECD topics throughout the year for staff, parents, class assistants and kindergarten teachers.
Emotional, physical and economical tools are given to sufficiently support families and communities. • Special school readiness focused on preparing children to enter a special-needs or mainstream school.
Side by Side is a registered non-profit organization under Section 21 (Reg. Number: 21/2013/0487)
THEY CAN BE CONTACTED ON +264 81 147 7760, INFO@SIDEBYSIDENAMIBIA.COM AND WWW.SIDEBYSIDENAMIBIA.COM
