Close to 11 000 primary healthcare services have been rendered to over 2 000 school learners within the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, since late 2021. This is a result of a successful private and public partnership between Matla A Bokone Solar and the Frances Baard Department of Education and Department of Health. This Integrated School Healthcare Programme, which reached its completion during March 2022, also created employment for the youth within the solar project’s local beneficiary communities.
These types of comprehensive collaborations are an important aspect of ensuring that primary healthcare services reach young learners and the youth across rural parts of the country. It is furthermore important to recognise that these types of programmes help to offer access to safe, effective, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines via private healthcare service providers, such as Mobile Health Clinics Foundation.
“In line with our Socio-Economic Development strategy, we decided to support the community in this way to ensure children of school-going age have free access to quality healthcare. This will also contribute to their development, increase their knowledge and awareness of health issues, help them to develop an interest in their own health, and improve their general wellbeing,” explained Lesego Mosiane, Community Liaison Officer for Matla A Bokone Solar.
Learners across grades 1 through 12, in the 18-beneficiary primary and secondary schools within the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, received primary healthcare services sponsored by Matla A Bokone Solar, including primary healthcare and Covid-19 screenings; oral health screenings; vision screenings; as well as health education and promotion.
This programme has successfully provided a total of 10,720 services; generated 492 referrals to the Department of Health; and distributed 86 pairs of spectacles, demonstrating its commitment to promoting healthy children and communities. A further benefit of this programme has been the creation of employment opportunities for eight young people (aged 19 – 25) within the area.
Schools that benefited from this programme included: Xunkhwesa Combined School; Tshiamo Primary School; Isago Primary School; Greenpoint Primary School; Mankurwane Primary School; Masiza Primary School; Floors No 2 High School; Tshireleco High School; Montshiwa Primary School; Thabane High School; Greenpoint High School; Lucretia Primary School; Pescodia High School; Emmanuel High School; Olympic Primary School; Zingisa Primary School; Boitshoko Primary School; Sol Plaatjie Primary School
