05 Oct 2015

In an effort to educate the community about health issues and services, the Kgatleng District Health Management Team (DHMT) held an open day under the theme: My health, my responsibility: Empowering communities, to bring services closer to the people recently in Mochudi.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, the head of Kgatleng DHMT, Dr Motlalepula Pone said hosting the open day was an opportunity for them to take their services to the people, to interact with the community and to know their needs and expectations.

She said the open day strategy was to reinforce partnerships with different stakeholders such as non governmental organisations (NGOs), community based organisations, government sectors and community members in the provision of quality services for a healthy lifestyle in the lives of the community.

Dr Pone said there has been an increase in the recognition that non communicable (or lifestyle diseases) were claiming more lives than previously thought. He added that through the open day they endeavour to empower communities with the hope that they could prevent and recognise diseases that affect them and seek medical attention.

During the open day, health information and education was provided as well as screening for various diseases. Explaining the aim of the event, nursing superintended, Ms Senzeni Monosi said through the open day the health management team intended to increase awareness of health services and resources.

She said they also aim to motivate participants to make positive health behaviour changes, thus encouraging more self-care. Ms Monosi encouraged participants to make positive healthy choices, stressing that their intention was to empower the community on health issues and healthy living.

“Our intention is to teach the public on health issues so they can make informed health choices,” she said. For his part, Kgosi Time Pilane commended the Kgatleng DHMT and its stakeholders for making health services available to the community.

He encouraged the community to take the open day as a stepping stone to more awareness on health issues and services Kgosi Pilane said it was time the community adopted healthy lifestyles, adding that men need to align themselves with health practitioners and seek medical attention because diseases affect everyone regardless of gender. ENDS