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

Health screening results from the Randfontein Show

 Once again Carryou Ministry and the Gauteng Department of Health was at the recent Randfontein Show to conduct health screening and testing.
 "The number of people tested was considerably lower than last year," says Project Manager, Mzi Tshitsha. "We are not sure why that was the case but it could be people were afraid to be tested and know their status."
 510 show visitors were screened for a variety of conditions including, sugar-diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity levels, HIV and TB.
 "The good news is, this year only five people, three males and two females, were found to be HIV-positive," says Mzi."From a percentage point-of-view this is much better than last year and we believe people in the area may be altering their behaviours.
 "In one case we tested a woman whose blood pressure was so high that her life was in immediate danger and we immediately summoned the medical facilities present on the grounds to come and treat her. I think we may have saved her life," he says.
 "We have ordered a number of sophisticated machines to test cholesterol and at next year's Randfontein Show will be offering that as an additional service."

At the Show again

Some of the Health Screening team at the Randfontein Show.

  Every year the Randfontein Show is held around the first weekend in March and this year they celebrated their 30th anniversary.
 It is by far the biggest social and business event of it's kind on the West Rand and is the third largest show of it's type in the country.
 Up to 45 000 people visit the Randfontein Show during the four days it is held.
 It is an opportunity for local NGOs, churches and businesses to boost their coffers, strut their stuff and introduce their services and abilities.
 For the past few years Carryou Ministry has had a presence at the Randfontein Show and this year was no exception.
 We operated a cold drink stall and also offered free Health Screening and Testing.
 "It's been incredibly busy," said Mzi Tshikitsha, Health Programmes Manager.
 "A lot of people have made use of the service."
 A more detailed report will follow when the final reports are in and the numbers have been crunched.

With so much to see and do at the Show, it was hot and thirsty work for visitors and the guys manning the Carryou Ministry cold drink stall were kept busy.

Being part of Breast Cancer Awareness month

 October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Carryou Ministry decided, in addition to their normal health screening programmes, they would make a contribution to cancer awareness and early treatment.
 "We wanted to make people aware of the disease and also to offer support to those affected by it," says Mzi Tshikitsha, Carryou Ministry Health Programmes Manager. "We are not normally involved in cancer awareness but, as it is Cancer Awareness month, we wanted to celebrate with survivors and provide education to people at risk."
 Gazebos were set up in the parking-lot of a busy, downtown shopping centre last Friday, and the awareness campaign got into full swing, with counselors and health advisers on hand.

Education

 "We mostly provided education and people who believed they may be at risk were referred to local health clinics for further investigation and treatment," says Mzi. "Women who went through the process, were given a pink scarf and educational material and could avail themselves to the other screening facilities we had available. But we did not want to leave out the men. They were offered a number of tests, including high blood pressure, HIV and sugar diabetes.
 "In all, 121 people made use of our services that day," says Mzi. "I am sure some lives were saved, as cancer is often treatable if detected early. Early detection is vital."

Lives saved and an impact made

The Team

 In August 2014 the Department of Health introduced two programs, Social Mobilization and HIV Counseling and Testing. These projects were set up to operate in alliance with local health clinics and communities.
 They are vital to the clinics, as they help those institutions achieve the targets prescribed by the Department of Health.
 The Carryou Ministry Social Mobilization program is a process where a wide range of people within the community are engaged with, to raise awareness of and education about important health issues. Carryou Health Coordinators educate, present information and keep members of the community updated on important health issues.
 The HIV Counseling and Testing program provides services to individuals, couples and families and, throughout the year, a large number of informal settlements and companies were visited on a regular basis.
 The counselors are highly trained and work closely with allied organizations and professions. Testing results are available within 20 minutes and people who test positive are counseled and referred to clinics and other health practitioners for further treatment.

Statistics

 During the year 6553 people were tested for HIV and other ailments. Of these 3694 were males and 2859 females. 120 females tested positive, as opposed to 85 males.
 784 913 male condoms and 84 622 female condoms were distributed. 181 TB cases were detected and referred for further treatment and 6993 people were tested for hypertension.
 "There is no doubt, these two programs have had a major impact and saved many lives," says Mzi Tshikitsha, Program Manager.

Meet our people: Christinah van Rooyen

 Christinah van Rooyen (63) joined Carryou Ministry last year as a Social Mobilisation Co-Coordinator, following a long career in the nursing sector.
 "I worked as an Assistant Nurse at Sir Albert Hospital in Randfontein from 1982 until 2009, until health issues caused me to take a break," she says. "Then I did part-time work at Lesedi Private Hospital in Soweto and also worked at a hospital in Carletonville.
 "I live in Finsbury (Randfontein) and often came into contact with Home-based Care workers from Carryou and they told me about the wonderful work being done by the organisation.
 "That prompted me to drop off a copy of my CV at the Carryou offices and the rest is history," she says.
 "I love what I do. It is incredibly rewarding to change people's lives by teaching them about health matters. My team and I visit factories, settlements and places like the municipal dumping sites to teach people about the importance of being tested for HIV, high blood pressure, TB and sugar diabetes. We encourage them to limit the number of sexual partners they are involved with, to use condoms and adopt healthy lifestyles."

Hope

 Christinah grew up in Westonaria and when she married moved to Toekomsrus. She is now a single parent and lives in Finsbury.
 "I live with my youngest daughter and my grandson, who I am raising because his mother died," she says. "When not working or taking care of my family I spend most of my time at my church where I am one of the leaders.
 "My hope is that I continue doing what I am doing for many years to come. I think it vital we older people encourage and groom the youngsters, so they can be prepared and able to face the future.
 "Kids face many challenges today and, as elders, we cannot sit and let the world pass by without helping and becoming involved."

Meet our people: Pearl Motingoe

 "I've always wanted to be a nurse - even now!" says Carryou Ministry, Social Mobilisation Coordinator, Pearl Motingoe (26).
 "I did my schooling in Krugersdorp but, because my Mom died during that time, I wasn't able to complete my matric. Studying further then, was simply not an option, so I got a job at a fast-food chain where I worked as a cashier.
 "But I soon realised, that was definitely not for me," she says. "I managed to save enough to enrol at a college and completed my matric.
 "For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse and, once I had my matric certificate, I enrolled at a nursing college in Krugersdorp but could only afford to do a course that qualified me as an Ancillary Nurse.
 "I got a job at Krugersdorp Private Hospital but it was a temporary position and only for six months but it confirmed what I'd always known - I wanted to spend my life helping people."

Advert

 Then she saw an advert for a position as a Health Coordinator at Carryou.
 "I applied and joined the organisation in August last year," says Pearl. "A large part of my function is giving health talks to workers at factories and companies on topics like HIV, TB and Malaria. It is very rewarding and fulfilling."
 Pearl is married with a two year-old son.
 "He brings great joy to me," she says. "He is both naughty and clever!"
 When not working or caring for her family, she is deeply involved in church activities.
 "My goal in five years is to have a degree in nursing, my own home and my own car," she says. "But I realise it's not going to be easy. I am struggling to get a bursary and a spot at a nursing college.
 "Maybe I'll end up studying Social Work through UNISA - they won't tell me they're full!"

Meet our people: Mary Jane Lekgoe

 "If I can help one person a day who says: 'I feel better', I've had an amazing day!" says Mary Jane Lekgoe (38), Site Co-ordinator of the Carryou Ministry/Gauteng Department of Health Testing and Social Mobilisation Programme.
 The mother of a 16 year-old daughter, Mary Jane grew up in Mohlakeng, Randfontein and in 2002 moved to Finsbury.
 She started her career with Carryou in 2008, working at the clinic in Koksoord.
 "I always wanted to be a social worker but there was no money to study further," she says. "Then I saw a Department of Health advert looking for HIV Counselors and applied.
 "In 2008 Carryou took over all the clinic counselors and I met Mzi (Tshikitsha). He recognised my potential and enthusiasm and arranged for me to study at the HIVSA College in Johannesburg, where I completed the 18-month National Certificate in Counselling.
 "After I graduated I was transferred from the clinic to the Carryou Head Office and promoted to Site Co-ordinator," says Mary Jane.
 Every day she must ensure the 12 counsellors who report to her know exactly where they need to go and what is required of them.
 "We work both on the streets and at company's premises," she says. "For example, sometimes we set up gazebos, testing and counseling facilities at taxi ranks. In addition, it is my job to liaise and make arrangements with companies, so we can provide services to their staff members."

Significant impact

 According Mary Jane, the health-testing programme makes a significant impact in Randfontein. Many people avoid going for testing at clinics, as they are apprehensive about seeing someone who knows them.
 "But, because we test for multiple conditions, including sugar diabetes and high blood pressure and we guarantee absolute confidentiality, people are happy to come to us.
 "I absolutely love my job," she says. "It is incredibly fulfilling to help people and change their lives."
 When not working, Mary Jane is involved in church activities.
 "I am a committee member at my church," she says. "That keeps me very busy and I still plan to get that University Degree in Social Work, one day."

An update from Vleikop

The Department of Health was there offering free testing and screening facilities to the local community. The programme is part of a partnership Carryou Ministry has with the Gauteng Department of Health.

 There is plenty going on at Vleikop, the site of Carryou Ministry's agricultural project.

 We popped in this week to take a few pictures.

Free testing and screening is offered for a variety of conditions.

Winter crops that will be used to provide food for Carryou's feeding schemes, are in the ground and doing well.

Testing and screening at the Randfontein Show

 The Randfontein Show, held every year in the town, is the third largest show of its kind in South Africa.
 It draws thousands of visitors from the West Rand, Pretoria and other parts of South Africa and is the highlight of the area's annual social calendar.
 And this year, Carryou Ministry, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, will have a stall as part of the Testing and Social Mobilisation campaign.
 Show-goers will have access to a variety of free screening and testing for conditions such as HIV, sugar diabetes, TB and high blood pressure.

Questions

Mzi Tshikitsha

 "There will be qualified counsellors on hand to answer questions and provide guidance," says Project Manager, Mzi Tshikitsha, "as well as opportunities to be educated about health problems, living a healthy lifestyle and the latest in treatment and prevention protocols. I urge visitors to the Show to call in at our stall and make full use of the facilities available."

 The Randfontein Show takes place at the Greenhills Sports Stadium from Wednesday 4 March to Sunday 8 March. Make a note in your diary. For more information about the Randfontein Show, programme details, ticket prices etc. point your browser at http://www.randfonteininfo.co.za/rftnshow.html

Carryou partners with the Department of Health in life-saving screening and testing programme

Testing includes, HIV, hypertension, diabetes and pap smears

 Carryou Ministry recently received funding from the Department of Health to embark on a programme of mobile testing and health screening that will help save lives in the Randfontein area.
 "We visit factories and communities where trained team members test for HIV, diabetes and hypertension. In addition, a sister from the clinic does pap smears," says Mzi Tshikitsha, manager of the programme.
 "Last month 1 170 people were tested and referred for further where necessary. The initiative has been immensely successful and well-supported. Bringing services right to the people make it much more convenient and quicker than having to go to a clinic."
 The current programme is scheduled to run until the end of March 2015.

Mzi Tshikitsha

The team