Matla A Bokone Solar’s School Health Programme has kicked off, and is set to benefit 4129 learners,
across eleven schools, within the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality. This initiative is an ideal example of
how a Public-Private-Partnership can work to benefit communities, as the programme is aligned to
the Department of Education’s Integrated School Health Policy.
The Programme will be implemented by the Mobile Health Clinics Foundation across eight primary
and three high schools, in two phases. The first phase includes the COVID 19 Hygiene Awareness
and Stigma Mitigation Screenings, and COVID 19 Screenings; whilst phase 2 focuses on the
Integrated School Health Screenings.
“We believe that access to quality healthcare for school children is very important, as it also
contributes towards their development, increases their knowledge and awareness on health issues,
helps them in developing interest in their own health and contributes to their general wellbeing,”
explained Nomzamo Landingwe, Chief Community Operations Officer for Matla A Bokone, which
funds this initiative as part of its solar project’s Socio-Economic Development Programme.
The health team will consist of a health coach, professional nurse, an optometrist, and a dental
therapist, to provide Vision and Hearing Testing; Oral Health Screening; Nutritional Status
Assessments and Health Education initiatives.
Learners with poor eyesight, who require corrective eyewear, will be supplied by Mobile Health
Clinics, and similarly, learners with poor hearing will be referred for assistive hearing devices through
the provincial Department of Health.
“The mobile school health clinic eases the burden on the Department of Education whilst
supplementing resources, and furthermore, the screening data can be immediately collated,” said
Principal Isaac Ruiter, Montshiwa Primary School, Galeshewe, Kimberley.
The Department of Health has provided COVID-19 training to eight youth, (aged 19 – 25), to assist
with the COVID 19 screening. All candidates come from the Sol Plaatje area and have been
employed in consultation with the participating schools.
Representatives from the Provincial Departments attended the inauguration, to endorse the
programme that commenced on 08 October 2020.
