A deep part of what it means to me to be South African, never mind African, is to be fully immersed in the most vulnerable areas of our country, society and people. The health of any individual is heavily influenced by socio-economic factors – this has been well defined by the WHO and its 1948 definition of health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.”
Part of the privilege of living in South Africa for me is the rich cultural diversity of our magnificent people and myriad cultures. One of the saddest parts is the gaping socio-economic divides between the privileged and underprivileged that leave millions of our people utterly vulnerable to hunger and disease with limited access to healthcare.
As described in my story, I had a taste of rural health care when I was training as a medical student and fell in love with the work. I knew, at the right time in my life – I would return to it and that time is now.
It is so difficult to describe to anyone who has not been to rural parts of this country what the experience of a rural clinic or healthcare can be like and I hope to share more stories in my journal soon. The lived experience of something is entirely different to any picture or concept I could share.
Here is Hlokomela – a tiny clinic just near Hoedspruit that is humble, clean and run with utter dedication and pride by the devoted healthcare workers who have ensured that it keeps its doors open despite turbulence and funding adversity. They are our unsung heroes of society, as are the healthcare workers on the ground, delivering their healing and skill at the most basic but vital level.
When funding ran low, they created a ‘health card system’ where a health card could be purchased for R900 that would provide an individual with unlimited care for a year. This amount of money is beyond the reach of most South Africans, but it does provide the farming industry in the area the opportunity for employers to invest in their employees’ health. The problem is that most employers are able to fund their employees but not their employees’ family members, still leaving many vulnerable.
These healthcare cards can be purchased by anyone and are issued by the clinic to those in desperate need- such a story was one of just a month ago where a mother and her 3 year old child came to the clinic. The mother required care for a chronic condition but the nurse noticed that her daughter had a fairly extensive burn across her arm that required treatment. Upon explaining this to the mother, the mother replied that she could not afford care for them both – a stark reality for many others in her community. Thanks to the donors of their healthcare cards, the child was issued her own card and her burn wound was treated.
Last week celebrated World Spine Day, and thanks to the sheer hard work of a few individuals and World Spine Care, a spine clinic was opened just next door to Hlokomela. This service is desperately needed to help with lower back problems experienced by thousands of workers in the area who cannot afford to lose employment because of their incapacity.
Hlokomela also provides primary health care, chronic disease care and women’s health.
It is my absolute vision and vital purpose to build better health ecosystems in South Africa, particularly around community and rural health care involving clinics like Hlokomela and others.
Please contact me to find out how you can become involved.
