Women’s health get top priority at city clinics

17 August 2016

 

The City of Johannesburg believes that prevention is better than cure. That is why its Health Department has established women’s health clinics in all its 82 primary public healthcare facilities throughout the city.

 

The purpose of women’s health clinics is to afford women the opportunity to be assessed on time to prevent or diagnose certain health conditions early so they can be treated before complications set in.

Women health clinics deal with issues such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, contraceptions, HIV and maternal health, among others.

Deputy Director of Public Health Elionora Lebethe says the City regularly holds health awareness campaigns to encourage women to utilise these facilities. Lebethe says the City’s health workers in the various regions assist in creating awareness of women’s health issues and to ensure that they know where to go for women-related health services.

“Our health promoters also address issues of antenatal care to ensure a healthy pregnancy,” she says.

South Africa has the biggest HIV treatment programme in the world and has managed to reduce mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV at six weeks from 8% in 2008 to 2.6% in 2013. Lebethe says one of the major benefits of women starting antenatal care early is to conduct HIV testing and put them on the Prevention of PMTCT Strategy if positive. A total of 49 634 antenatal clients were seen at the City’s healthcare facilities during July 2014-June 2015.

On contraception, Lebethe says family planning services are available at all healthcare facilities. Women can select any of the following options:

• Pill e.g Triphasil, Ovral, Microval;

• Injectables – Depo Provera/Petogen (two monthly), Nur-Isterate (two monthly); 

• Implants – Implannon NXT (three yearly); and 

• Intra-Uterine Device – Loop (five yearly). 

Lebethe urges women to use any of these methods with a condom for dual protection and to ensure they are protected from sexually transmitted infections. Cervical cancer is caused by Human Papilloma Virus. It and breast cancer are two most common cancers affecting women.

Global figures show that about 500 000 women die from breast cancer and a further half a million from cervical cancer each year. Early detection and treatment often lead to cure. The national government has now made available the Human Papilloma Vaccine to protect girls from the age of nine.

The campaign, which started in 2014, is aimed at Grade 4 girl learners attending quintiles 1 to 4 public schools. Lebethe says a total of 10 334 learners were immunised during the 2015-2016 financial year. This year’s campaign is already under way and ends on September 6.

Pap smears are administered at all healthcare facilities to screen for cervical cancer. Those with abnormal results are referred to hospitals for further investigation and management. A total of 56 582 pap smears were done at healthcare facilities between July 2015 and June 2016.

“Women are encouraged to do breast self-examination. We demonstrate the technique to women so they can carry out their own breast palpation monthly as advised,” concludes Lebethe.