By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, on Thursday announced the launch of the Rotary Family Health Days, an outreach project designed to deliver free medical services to underserved communities.
This year’s initiative focuses on the Shiselweni Region, aiming to bridge the gap in healthcare access for residents.
This outreach programme is a product of collaboration between Rotary Clubs within Eswatini and the Eswatini government, specifically the Ministries of Health and Education. From March 18th to 21st, 2024, volunteer medical professionals and specialists will offer a range of services to residents in the targeted region.
“The Rotary Health Days will be held at three designated centres within the Shiselweni Region,” explained Minister Matsebula. “These centres include Jericho Clinic, Zombodze Clinic, and Eqinisweni Primary School.”
The comprehensive list of services offered includes medical consultations, screenings, and testing for various ailments. Residents can expect testing for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), HIV/TB, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Cervical Cancer, and access to Voluntary Male Circumcision (VMC) services. Dental care will also be a key focus area during the outreach program.
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Minister Mduduzi Matsebula emphasized the longstanding partnership between the government and Rotary Clubs. “The government has had the privilege of collaborating with Rotary in supporting their medical programs for the past 15 years,” he said. “We are immensely proud to continue this partnership and extend healthcare access to even more communities.”
Highlighting the value of public-private partnerships, Minister Mduduzi remarked: “As a Ministry, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors. Such partnerships enhance service delivery and ensure a wider reach within communities.”
With a call to action for residents in the surrounding areas, the Minister of Health urged them to take advantage of this free and convenient healthcare opportunity. “The adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ rings true,” he stressed.
“Early detection is crucial. We encourage everyone to participate in these screenings and check their health status. Early intervention leads to better outcomes in disease management.”
The Rotary Family Health Days outreach program coincides with World Oral Health Day, observed globally on March 20th. This alignment presents a valuable opportunity to deliver oral health education and treatment services to over 4,000 children and community members in the Shiselweni Region.
