Wellness Hubs have been launched across the Overberg over the past few months in an effort to take health-care services to vulnerable communities that are unable to access services at their health-care facility.
Roché Laws, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Wellness in the Overberg, stated: “These community outreaches offering health-care services with a focus on prevention and health promotion also offer a venue closer to home where clients can collect their chronic medication.
“The approach to the Wellness Hubs is to be flexible, adaptable and able to respond to the health needs. Wellness Hubs are run by local NPOs that have been contracted to serve the various communities and can be seen in different shapes and sizes, such as mobile buses (crafter), gazebos or tents on open fields and in community halls and Thusong centres, to name a few.”
Services offered at Wellness Hubs include immunisations, family planning, collection of chronic medication and blood pressure and diabetes testing, pregnancy tests, HIV testing, health promotion talks, and mental-health services as well as bookings for chronic medication and referrals to the healthcare facility.
According to Sister Lena van Wyk, Operational Manager at Grabouw CHC, Wellness Hubs have assisted in relieving some of the pressure felt at the clinic while making access to services easier for the client.
“On the day the wellness hub operates in the community, the Community Health Workers also move in the community to check if children’s immunizations are up to date and find chronic patients who have missed medication collections.
“These patients are then referred to the wellness hub in their community where they receive the appropriate service and are referred to the nearest clinic where need be. The Wellness Hubs help not only to provide people easier access to healthcare services but also assists with adherence to medication and immunisation schedules,” Van Wyk explained.
This unique service in communities offers clients the opportunity to discuss their health-related challenges with a healthcare professional and obtain the necessary referrals to a primary healthcare facility where clients will receive the correct level of care.
The services at the Wellness Hub expand the primary healthcare service package ensuring a more comprehensive approach with the possibility of introducing various health-related support groups.
“Wellness Hubs,” said Van Wyk, “also provide an opportunity to extend campaigns further into the community like the recent measles campaign, it provides easier access to services in an environment where they feel safe especially for youth and adolescents who often feel discouraged to visit clinics.”
Wellness Hubs are open to people of all ages and can be accessed on various days in your community.
To find out more about the nearest hub, check the notice board at your nearest clinic or ask any of the staff at the clinic. Also, people must look out for community health-care workers in their community.
