April 5, 2004
By Bontle Moeng
DEVELOPED to care for terminally ill and bed-ridden patients, the launch of the new Home-Based Care Service was a celebration of life for the 300 caregivers who gathered at Ubuntu Kraal in Soweto to be blessed by Pastor Rachel Zwane on Friday 2 April.
Officially launching the service, Gauteng's regional director of health, Dr Mandla Mazizi, said: "We must not only put our hope on the availability of drugs, but on eating healthy food. This service will guarantee that patients do not rely entirely on the hospital system of medical care but on taking health services to the homes. Home-based care is no stranger, it is part of our culture and the spirit of ubuntu."
Traditional healers at the launch of home-based health care services
Photo by Enoch Lehung
Following an performance by orange-clad dancers from the Jhankaar School of Dance in Lenasia, regional manager for health, Thembi Mathloko, explained further: "The Home-Based Care Services is aimed at taking care of bed-ridden and terminally ill people, irrespective of the nature of their illness. It links the families to creating a solid relationship with patients."
Through the programme, which is an integral part of the national government's strategy to ensure health facilities and support systems are accessible to previously disadvantaged communities, the City's Home-Based Care Services will provide material support to organisations that care for the terminally ill and bed-ridden in Region 10.
The Johannesburg Department of Health is responsible for coordinating the activities of 3 000 trained community-based volunteers across 11 regions and funding for health kits is provided by the province. The health kits, which consist of painkillers, bandages, a linen saver, napkins for the incontinent, surgical gloves, a mask and plastic apron, are given to non-governmental organisations providing care to sick people.
Director for the Mofolo Home-Base Care Centre, Sarah Qawu, said she was proud to be a part of the programme. "Using home-care services frees up hospital beds and also enables families to understand terminal illnesses better. Patients are able to die in peace with their own families."
Caregivers work under the supervision of a nurse and provide patients with daily baths, dress their wounds and monitor their medication and nutritional needs. "If a caregiver notices changes in the patient, that must be reported to the medical team immediately," said Qawu. "Food parcels are supplied to patients from our gardens."
Depending on their health, patients may be visited monthly or daily.
Qawu also encouraged family members to support sick family members. Michelle Mabunda, a cheerful and healthy-looking 22-year-old who emanates warmth when she speaks, testified to Qawu's statement from personal experience. "I am HIV-positive. I've been living with the virus for seven years. I'm not using anti-retroviral treatment, but I'm beautiful, fat and I'm a size 40. It's all the love I get from my family. All that a patient needs is love as they will feel that they is still a chance in life."
Although much of the discussion focused on providing support to people with Aids, councillor for Region 10, Morgan Gomati, said the Home-Based Care Service is for all people with serious illnesses. "The success of this programme will depend on the community taking care of their sick," he said.
Mazizi handed out sealed packages to the members from different NGOs from all 11 regions as a token of appreciation for their work.
Some of the NGOs represented included the Rophe Community Service, the Alexandra Integrated Home-based Care Project and the Lesedi Youth Organisation.
Traditional healers blessed the occasion and Tswana dancers in animal skins and traditional dress, were roundly cheered as they clapped and danced their way through their intricate dance.
For more information, call Meisie Lerutla on 011 497 6822 or 082 553 7117.
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