NPO takes its tried-and-tested model into schools in disadvantaged communities in the Gauteng province

NPO takes its tried-and-tested model into schools in disadvantaged communities in the Gauteng province
NPO takes its tried-and-tested model into schools in disadvantaged communities in the Gauteng province

Mobile Health Clinics teams up with Bayer South Africa to launch a new Schools Health Programme in Gauteng

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – 17 March 2023: Mobile Health Clinics, an NPO that operates mobile health clinics for children in no-fee schools, has announced that it will be introducing a new programme, the Integrated Schools Health Programme with support from Bayer South Africa

Bayer is a life science company and a global leader in healthcare and nutrition. Bayer products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, endeavoring to create value through innovation, growth and corporate social engagements. 

Bayer has put in place several strategies that aim to increase positive social impact in communities. At the heart of one of these strategies is promoting access to affordable healthcare – the single most important factor affecting people’s well-being. One of these strategic initiatives is the partnership with the Mobile Health Clinic Foundation. 

 

The programme, which will be launched at 10am on Thursday, 16 March 2023 at the Blair Atholl Primary Farm School in Lanseria, is the latest initiative by the organization, which was founded in 2019. 

 

Mobile Health Clinics (MHC) provides free primary healthcare services for learners in disadvantaged communities with the aim of identifying and treating healthcare barriers to learning. Its services have been designed to support the South African Integrated School Health Policy which, among other things, focuses on detecting easily correctable health impairments that may impact on learning.

“Our services are also aligned to World Health Organisation guidelines and the SDG framework,” says Adv. B.N. Buthelezi, Founding Member and Chair of the organization, “and, as such, are an expression of both local and international best practice is this vital area of healthcare.” 

The WHO defines a school health programme as a combination of services to ensure the physical, mental and social well-being of learners in order to optimize their learning capabilities and educational experience. Informed by this objective, MHC’s unique model specifically focuses on providing services in peri-urban, rural and remote communities, which are frequently underserved. 

“Our sole objective is to improve access to quality healthcare and provide educational support for children in poor communities, “ says Dr Rosy Ndhlovu, also a Founding Member and MHC’s Vice Chair. “Nearly 9 million children depend on public services for their healthcare needs, which means that government’s Integrated School Health Programme is hard pushed to reach all of those who require regular assessment and care. And as we believe that every child deserves access to quality healthcare and education, that’s where we step in to fill the gaps.”  

MHC’s track record of care speaks for itself. Since 2019, it has conducted nearly 25 000 school health screening visits in 103 schools. These visits have included 361 000 clinical treatments, 16 000 eye tests and nearly 21 000 dental treatments. Glasses have also been supplied free of charge to all children who needed them, estimated at 7 037 units. 

In addition to these services, MHC provides healthcare education for learners and counseling for educators and administrators, offering an integrated primary healthcare solution to schools most in need.  

“In 2022 alone, our mobile clinics clocked up 7 545 kms traveling to underserved schools, which is no small feat,” says Dr Ndhlovu.  

To date, the majority of schools served have been in Northern Cape and North West, with only 12 schools in Gauteng having been reached so far. Now, in partnership with Bayer, MHC is rolling out its tried-and-tested model in the country’s most populous province. 

Children will also benefit from MHC’s supplementary programmes, including its Learner Assistance Programme, which focuses on renovating mathematics, science and technology labs in the schools it serves and on providing mobile labs and desks for use in these labs. This is supported by a programme of Career Days for older learners, which are designed to provide information about the world of career opportunities in these fields. They include exposure to and engagement with companies that learners would not normally have access to.   

“In support of our Bayer vision, ‘Health for all, hunger for none’ – we support projects by charities, social innovators and non-profit-organizations which tackle the root causes of inequalities and enable sustainable impact for change, especially in underprivileged communities. Access to health is not just about connecting schools with opportunities, it also extends directly to the communities. This programme demonstrates the power of access where resources are used to make our communities more inclusive and provides access to an affordable, healthier, and happier lifestyle for children in underserved areas. Through this programme, we are also contributing to our global sustainability goal of enabling 100 million low-and middle-income earners access to affordable healthcare.

Guided by our purpose ‘Science for a better life’, we strive to put an end to hunger and help everyone lead a healthy life”, says Mamati Tembe, Head of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability at Bayer South Africa.

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing healthy children flourish in a quality learning environment,” says Dr Ndhlovu, “so we’re really excited by this partnership with Bayer and are looking forward to taking our services into schools in  disadvantaged communities.”  

For further information about  Mobile Health Clinics, visit www.mobilehealthclinics.org.za

 

About Bayer

 

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.co.za.