THERE is an urgent need of health and social services in every society and Qiqa Uphile, a Komani-based NGO saw the need to meet the government and its community halfway.
The NGO was established in January 2016 by director, Nandipha Madikwa, who previously worked as a health practitioner, who saw the need to assist the health system, especially within Mlungisi Township.
“I saw the lack of knowledge when it comes to health issues and the amount of deaths due to HIV-related illnesses”.
Qiqa Uphile Health Care Centre is situated in Nkathula Street, in Bhongweni location, where the Rowell Old Age home used to be.
The office space was donated to them by the Enoch Mgijima Municipality.
The centre offers counselling for any HIV/Aids related illnesses, counselling for any individual challenges community members face, tracking defaulters who are under any treatment, do referrals for individuals to different departments that assist in any social issues such as people without IDs or social grants.
“We also refer patients who need secondary care that we do not offer to doctors and clinics,” added Madikwa.
Qiqa Uphile also educates the community on issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, rape, sexual transmitted illnesses, homosexuality, commercial sex workers, career guidance and they form support groups.
“What stands out about our NGO is we do not give attention to just one demographic we have managed to form circumcision support groups to address and manage the process and prevent fatalities that young men face,” Madikwa said.
The NGO also has community care givers that go and visit individuals in their homes to take care of them and make sure the environment is hygienic and the conditions are liveable for those ill individuals.
“We also have lay counsellors who do home tests for all HIV/Aids related illnesses for these individuals and keep a record of their health history so they can motivate and encourage them to take medication and should there be a need we do referrals to relevant services,” Madikwa said.
Madikwa is an active member in several committees such as the woman’s executive committee for the special programmes unit, both at Chris Hani Municipal District and Enoch Mgijima Local municipalities.
Qiqa Uphile is urging community members to make use of their services in order for the community to function well both physically and mentally.
They are also urging all officials and local businesses to support them in terms of increasing security and donating useful equipment, as the centre is still operating in bad conditions.
Some of the challenges the centre faces are a lack of finances to help pay the staff stipends, as they work on a voluntary basis and they also need office furniture and equipment.
The centre also welcomes any food or clothes donations for their patients because so many patients default on their treatment because they cannot take treatment on empty stomachs. For more information regarding Qiqa Uphile Health Care Centre contact Nandipha Madikwa on 072 219 8821.
