The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Faculty of Community and Health, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Health, will be delivering much needed health and wellness screenings and associated assistance in Middelplaas, Genadendal, particularly focusing on farm workers in the community.
The Faculty of Community & Health Sciences at UWC has been working in various communities for an extensive period of time, placing health sciences students at various community organisations and institutions to deliver health and social care programmes that benefit the community members and university students.
However, this is the first time UWC focuses exclusively on the health and wellbeing of farm workers in the Genadendal area. In the past, farm workers have volunteered to receive health and wellness screenings. This outreach originates as a result of identifying the need for this service, particularly for farm workers. “We consider farm workers to be an essential sector in the country’s economic system. Without their valued effort and work the country will suffer immensely. Hence, the importance of attending to their health and wellbeing on this day,” said Prof Firdouza Waggie, Deputy Dean for Clinical and Community Engagement.
The following services will be offered:
- Blood Pressure
- Weight Loss/BMI
- Glucose Test
- Urine Test
- Dental and Oral Hygiene
- TB/HIV screening
- Pap Smear
- CVS Risk Assessment
- Natural Medicine
- Referral to appropriate professionals
- Health promotion
Community engagement and social responsiveness are fundamental pillars of health sciences education at UWC, and the University has demonstrated that it is committed to going the extra mile in serving the communities in Cape Town and surrounding areas. This drive and commitment will continue to grow each year, thereby impacting communities and making health services accessible to the most vulnerable and marginalised.
The outreach services are pioneered by the team in the Interprofessional Education Unit (IPEU), under the leadership of the CHS Deputy Dean for Clinical and Community Engagement, Prof Firdouza Waggie, and in collaboration with CHS staff, students and academics.
