Pretoria – Commuters boarding trains and taxis at the Pretoria Station will now have free access to breast cancer screening, thanks to the opening of Hello Clinic at the station.
Officially opened on Thursday by Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, the clinic will provide the service not only to the commuters but also residents in the vicinity of the station.
The clinic forms part of an initiative between government, Metropolitan Health, Pink Drive, Bidvest and Motion Pathology.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu emphasised that the opening of the clinic is not only about detecting cancer but promoting a healthy lifestyle.
She said the clinic will assist the department in taking its mandate of developing people forward.
“Social development is the mother, father and heartbeat of the nation. When the mother passes on, it is us that must pick up the pieces. Our business is about strengthening families. We have a responsibility to assist families become strong and healthy so they can assist us in combating poverty,” Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu said.
Pink Drive
She added that they want to make use of the Pink Drive truck to conduct cervical cancer testing, as a one stop shop. The truck, which was also launched on Thursday, will also be used to do HIV testing.
She announced that the department will avail funding to ensure that the clinic has dedicated sign language interpreters to strengthen the work of Pink Drive.
The department will also use the Prink Drive truck to provide dignity packages to girl learners in rural areas.
First Lady Thobeka Madiba-Zuma said women’s health should be at the centre of all programmes.
“We can’t even begin to talk about development without women’s health featuring there. Women should be healthy in order for them to play a meaningful role in the economic growth of our country,” Madiba-Zuma said.
She added that the clinic reflected the power of public private partnerships.
“The clinic is a goal standard for innovative approaches towards improving women health. Clinic of this nature like Hello, are the future for health.”
She described the clinic as a product of the spirit of nation building.
Deputy Minister of Health, Joseph Phaahla, commended the initiative and work done by the Pink Drive, stressing the need for promoting healthy lifestyle and prevention of diseases.
“We believe that any contribution towards alleviating the burden of cancer is highly appreciated. This is not a small effort and we are really grateful,” Deputy Minister Phaahla said.
Noelene Kotschan from Pink Drive warned that cancer is a killer and so is ignorance. She said the clinic gives Pink Drive an opportunity to make inroads and make a difference to the lives of people.
“Breast cancer is an enemy fighting us. Together we must fight it and we must win,” said Kotschan. – SAnews.gov.za
