By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other key partners, successfully conducted a comprehensive health outreach for elderly individuals, which was hailed as a great milestone in the nation’s dedication to elderly care.
The event took place at Millennium Park in Manzini and saw over 1,000 elderly persons and children from the North and South constituencies receiving medical examinations and treatments on-site.
The Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane was representing the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM).
When delivering her remarks, she lauded the collaborative efforts that brought this initiative to life.
“This is a very important day that seeks to reach out to elderly persons to ensure they receive medical examination and treatment for various ailments they may have as part of improving their quality of life,” she remarked.
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The event was branded as the Elderly Health Day and was said to be is an example of the power of public-private partnerships (PPPs).
The health day was organized in conjunction with Philani Maswati Charity Organisation, the Ministry of Health, and the Manzini City Council.
It was hailed as an outreach that expressed the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office’s mandate to support, care for, and protect vulnerable groups including the elderly, children, persons with disabilities, persons with albinism, and women.
Again, the DPM highlighted the significance of routine medical check-ups and emphasized that early detection of life-threatening diseases is crucial for the well-being of elderly persons.
“We applaud the partnership with the Ministry of Health that has provided medical experts to ensure that elderly persons receive treatment of all ailments that they may have.
These routine medical check-ups and diagnosis ensure early detection of any life-threatening diseases that may affect elderly persons so that quick remedial action through prevention can be made,” the DPM stated.
The event further featured extensive medical services provided by teams from The Clinic Group and other medical institutions.
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The comprehensive care included examinations, diagnoses, and treatments, ensuring that participants received the necessary medical attention.
Municipal Council of Manzini Mayor Goodwill Zwelithini Dlamini expressed his appreciation for the initiative where he highlighted the vital role of Philani Maswati and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office in caring for the elderly.
He acknowledged the contributions of the medical teams and the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved.
Philani Maswati Charity Organisation, known for its support for needy elderly persons, rural youth, and rural women, played a pivotal role in the event.
The organisation provides essential services such as food, housing, and medical care to the elderly, complementing the government’s efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable groups.
“The partnership by Philani Maswati and Manzini City Council is applauded. The Manzini Elderly Health Day/Medical Outreach we are participating in today is a build-up to next week’s main event,” the DPM noted, referring to the upcoming Embiveni Biggest Braai event scheduled to take place in Manzini.
This big event in the country is set to raise funds to further support the elderly, with proceeds directed towards enhancing their quality of life.
Moreover, the DPM also appealed to the business community for support, urging them to contribute financially and materially to the noble cause.
“As the office, we appeal to emaSwati to support this noble initiative that aims to empower elderly persons with proceeds going towards improving their quality of life.
we urge the business community to support this noble initiative through financial and material support to make this event possible,” she further added.
As the day concluded, the DPM extended heartfelt thanks to all participants and stakeholders, expressing hope for continued support in future initiatives including the Embiveni Biggest Braai.
“We urge the business community to support this noble initiative through financial and material support to make this event possible.
The participation of Manzini City Council at the highest level today and in next week’s Biggest Braai is testimony of the spirit of strong collaboration and partnership between Philani Maswati Charity Organisation and Manzini City Council,” the DPM concluded.
