The Department of Health in the Overberg District welcomed a number of community-service and allied health practitioners who will complete their community-service year in Overberg facilities during 2023.
Ten doctors, three physiotherapists, one dietician, one sonographer, two dentists and nine nurses started their community-service year in the Overberg recently.
The Department of Health’s Overberg District Director Wilma Kamfer welcomed the group, stating she is grateful for the unique skills each of them brings to the health service in the district.
After qualifying, health and allied health practitioners are placed in health facilities across the country to complete their required community-service year (comm serve).
“We welcome each community service doctor, nurse and allied health practitioner,” she said. “Being fresh out of university with the experience of working in academic hospitals we look forward to the enthusiasm and new skills they bring.
“We wish all community-service practitioners well and look forward to the year ahead.”
Roché Butler, spokesperson for the Health Department in the Overberg, explained the main objective of community service is to improve access to quality health care to all South Africans, more especially in previously under-served areas.
“This process provides young professionals with an opportunity to develop skills, acquire knowledge, behaviour patterns and critical thinking that will help them in their professional development,” she pointed out.
The community-service year not only allows the practitioners to gain experience in their field but also strengthens the health service.
By improving the number of health professionals in these rural areas patients are ensured better access to quality health care with more staff able to see patients and shorten waiting times.
Ameerah Steer, Community Service Dietician in the Overstrand Sub-district, said she is enjoying her comm serve year, especially the exposure to various types of conditions and the patients she sees in the district hospitals.
“So far the community-service year has helped me see the difference in service required in a hospital and in a clinic,” she said. “I enjoy the challenge the patients in hospital bring me and look forward to learning more.”
