FMHS COMMUNITY OUTREACH CAMPAIGN BRINGS CARE CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE

Through its commitment to delivering essential health services directly to underserved communities, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences brought on-site medical care to the Ward 13 community of Bambisana, in Port St Johns, at a recent Community Outreach Campaign.

Hosted by the WSU Society and Health Research Institute, through its Public Health Fridays’ initiative, the outreach reflected a deep commitment to equity in healthcare, ensuring that even the most remote areas receive the attention and care they deserve.

According to School of Public Health’s Clinical Governance Researcher, Yomelela Mnqabashe, the outreach initiative was a vital response to a call made by Faculty Executive Dean, Professor Wezile Chitha, during his State of the Faculty Address in February.

“Prof Chitha emphasised the importance of medical outreaches for the relevance of community engagement. Community outreaches are important because they bridge the gaps in access, education, trust, and ultimately improve community health outcomes,” Mnqabashe explained.

He added that the campaign reflected Chitha’s broader vision for faculty-led research that seeks to transform lives by having a meaningful intervention in communities.

As per its charter, the faculty conducts research within and with local communities and translates findings into relevant interventions for improving the performance of local health systems and health outcomes.

Moreover, outreach coordinator, Dr Bomikazi Majeke, said the motivation behind having the outreach in Bambisana, was to reinforce the university’s purpose of addressing and responding to societal needs and regional transformation.

“As a community-engaged university, WSU is deeply committed to extending its impact and serving beyond our immediate surroundings, hence this deliberate decision of extending our outreach beyond the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) sub-district,” explained Majeke.

She further said the initiative reflected the intentional effort to increase WSU’s visibility and presence in Lusikisiki, with the aim of fostering familiarity and trust within the region.

“This is especially important as we move forward with the establishment of the WSU Rural Clinical School, which will be based in Lusikisiki,” Majeke added.

The outreach was a collaboration with local health authorities and organisations, who mobilised healthcare teams to deliver medical, psychological, dental, physiotherapy, and counselling services.

Bambisana Hospital’s acting Clinical Manager, Dr Nolubabalo Dunga expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration and the potential for future joint projects.

“This particular outreach was quite different from the ones we normally have with our internal teams. So, it was quite refreshing and eye-opening to partner with external teams who share the purpose and vision as us,” said Dunga.

She added that despite a few challenges, the teams remained committed, resulting in a great outcome. “From the screenings and consultations, we were able to refer some patients to the hospital, and there was one emergency which was attended to timeously and successfully.”

The outreach aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, at all ages.

By Thandeka Mgqibi