Carryou Healthcare and Testing Programme sets new records

Carryou Ministry's Healthcare and Testing Programme (HCT) continues to grow.
 The programme is done in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, and in the past financial year reached even more people than the year before.
 Under the leadership of Programme Manager, Mzi Tshikitsha, twenty four people divided into two groups targeted high-traffic zones in Randfontein and surrounding areas.
 Gazebos containing testing, education and counselling facilities were set up in shopping malls, churches, factories, taxi-ranks and at informal settlements.
 Communities were educated and voluntarily tested for:

• Tuberculosis
• HIV/STI and condom use
• High blood pressure
• Sugar Diabetes
• Primary health.

 "Where necessary people were referred to clinics and other relevant health professionals," says Mzi. "For example, after testing, 1 717 people found to be suffering from hypertension were referred, 502 people for HIV and TB and over 15 000 people received counselling."
 More than one and a half million condoms were distributed, almost 400 000 more than in the previous year and over 125 000 people were reached.
 "There can be no doubt we made a difference and saved many lives," says Mzi. "We look forward to even better next year. Our long term vision is to see no new HIV and TB infections or deaths."

Programme Manager, Mzi Tshikitsha

Some of the team

Free testing, a huge success at the Randfontein Show

We know we've published this picture before but we're just so darn proud!

 The dust has settled after the Randfontein Show, we've managed to catch our collective breath and take the time needed to study and digest the effects and results achieved at the Show.
 "Our participation was an unqualified success," says Mzi Tskikitsha, Programme Manager of the Testing and Social Mobilisation Programme, an initiative operated in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health.
 "To be honest, we were somewhat nervous before, as we've operated mostly in the Black community and knew, a large proportion of show-visitors are white. We did not know what to expect or how we'd be received.
 "But we need not have worried. The response was fantastic. Over 900 people, approximately two thirds of whom were women, made use of the free testing and screening services on offer," he says.

 Counselled

 On-the-spot tests were done for HIV, high blood-pressure and high blood-sugar and, where necessary, people were counselled by trained counsellors and referred to clinics and other medical facilities.
 "What we discovered is, there may be a misconception that HIV is not a problem in the white community," says Mzi. "But a surprising number of people tested positive and it is obvious, a great deal of work needs to be done and we are already formulating plans to do so.
 "Urgent intervention is required."
 A highlight of the Randfontein Show was when the Carryou/Gauteng Department of Health, screening and testing stall was awarded second place in its category.
 "This is an amazing achievement, as it was the first time we had a stand at the show," says Mzi.
 "The award made us feel appreciated, gave us confidence and filled us with pride. It made us feel a part of the whole community."

Testing and Social Mobilisation Programme produces positive results

 The Carryou Ministry Testing and Social Mobilisation programme, carried out in partnership with the Gauteng Government, is producing significant, positive, results.
 This is according to Programme Manager, Mzi Tshikitsha.
 "We are seeing definite changes in the lifestyles and habits of many in the communities we serve," he says. "People are using condoms, not only themselves but are also distributing them to friends. This project has been going for five and a half months and, in that period, I estimate we have distributed close to 450 000 male and female condoms.
 "The main reason for that, is we are delivering condoms directly to the communities, making them more accessible and available. People no longer have to visit a clinic that is often far away from where they live," he says.
 "Although we do not yet have the final numbers, all indications from our testing programmes, show the rate of new HIV infections is falling dramatically."

Challenges

 But Mzi is quick to acknowledge there are challenges.
 "Youngsters, particularly boys, believe they are immortal and know it all," he says. "There is sometimes resistance because they figure they've heard it all before. But the fact is, things are constantly changing. For example, the treatment today is very different from what it was not long ago.
 "Over the next few weeks we plan to increasingly run the programme in schools in the area," says Mzi.
 The Testing and Social Mobilisation Programme sees pop-up facilities set up in communities, factories and schools, for example. Co-ordinators are there to provide health education and counselling and members of the public can get free testing for HIV, diabetes, TB, cervical cancer and high blood pressure.
 Affected people are referred to appropriate healthcare professionals, social workers and counsellors.
 "But prevention and precaution will always be better than cure," says Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry, General Manager, "and, in the future, Government may well place even greater emphasis on education and the prevention of these diseases.
 "With an ever-increasing demand for limited social welfare resources, that makes sense."