Health awareness events draw attention to conditions and diagnoses that might otherwise go unnoticed.
This is one of the reasons Amandla Development held a massive health awareness event in Samora last week Thursday.
Various stakeholders gathered at Weltevreden Clinic for the event which was held to encourage women to take charge of their health and wellness.
Services available included TB and HIV testing, pap smears, blood pressure screening and family planning.
Amandla Development community solutions co-ordinator, Mzwanele Tshose, said it was critical that they conduct such health awareness events to remind the residents about the importance of looking after their health.
“I believe that we need to have more of these platforms so that we could reach more people and address other myths that they might have. We want to have a society where they do not feel embarrassed or ashamed to visit health care facilities, especially young people and men,” he said.
Anova Health Institute representative Mike Qwemesha, said the event was also aimed at pleading with those who had defaulted on their TB and HIV treatment to resume it.
“After the event I received two phone calls from two people who had defaulted on their treatment and were ready to continue with their treatment after they had attended the event.
“This means that these events are working and making a difference in the community. We are hoping that we could have a society that preaches the importance of knowing your health status,” he said.
Weltevreden Clinic health committee chairperson, Khanyiso Mruqelo, said events like these aimed to promote early detection of ailments and to encourage men, women, young and old to make use of such facilities.