Bestmed Medical Scheme and the non-profit organisation Unjani Clinic have reaffirmed their commitment to improving healthcare accessibility by joining forces once more. This collaboration is poised to benefit communities situated between Dewetsdorp and Wepener in the Free State region.
Sister Mokhantso Lesia was recently entrusted with the keys to the second Unjani Clinic Health Pod, sponsored by Bestmed. Equipped with essential medical supplies, this health pod aims to deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare services to underprivileged individuals in the target communities. Additionally, Lesia received 50 reusable sanitary pad kits, a vital resource for local schoolgirls facing financial challenges.
Expressing gratitude for the donation, Lesia remarked, “The Unjani Clinic Health Pod symbolises a beacon of hope, bringing vital healthcare to the heart of our community and the surrounding areas.”
Access to much-needed healthcare
The Wepener community, comprising approximately 45 farms, has limited access to healthcare facilities, with only one public clinic and a part-time family practitioner available. Recognising this gap, Lesia, an Unjani Clinic Dewetsdorp nurse, identified the need to extend healthcare services over the 40km stretch from Dewetsdorp to Wepener. With the introduction of the new health pod, the community, including several farms en route to Wepener, can now access frequent and affordable healthcare services.
Furthermore, Sister Lesia emphasised the significance of providing sanitary pads to young girls, stating, “The provision of sanitary pads for our young girls is not just an act of kindness, but a profound step towards ensuring their dignity, health, and uninterrupted education.”
Established in 2014, Unjani Clinic operates as a network of black women-owned and operated primary healthcare clinics. With 156 facilities, Unjani Clinic has provided over three million healthcare consultations and empowered more than 130 professional “nurse-preneurs”, thereby creating permanent employment for over 630 individuals.
Bestmed’s commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of the wider South African community remains steadfast.
Madelein Barkhuizen, executive for marketing and sales at Bestmed, emphasised, “Providing access to quality healthcare continues to be of utmost importance to us. To help provide this access and affordable healthcare to underserved communities through the Unjani Clinic Health Pods is not just a privilege, but an honor.”
ALSO READ: Children battling blood cancer need your help
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
