28/10/2026
: FREE HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES BRING HOPE TO OQONDWENI COMMUNITY
OQONDWENI: Hundreds of community members flocked to the oQondweni Clinic Sports Field recently for a landmark Open Day that brought essential healthcare and social services directly to their doorstep.
Organised by Mseleni Hospital and oQondweni Clinic under the banner of Operation Sukuma Sakhe, the event united healthcare professionals, government departments, non-profit organisations, non-governmental organisations and community leaders in a shared mission to promote health awareness, strengthen partnerships and improve access to essential services.
Community members benefited from a comprehensive range of free healthcare services, including family planning, Well Baby Clinic services, HIV counselling and testing, cervical cancer screening, tuberculosis screening, non-communicable disease screening and prostate cancer screening. Health education sessions emphasised the importance of regular check-ups, early detection and seeking timely medical attention to prevent and manage health conditions.
Beyond healthcare, the Open Day provided a vital platform for residents to raise concerns and engage directly with relevant government departments and organisations on broader social issues. Representatives from participating institutions responded to questions, provided guidance and outlined available services to address the concerns raised.
Stakeholders present included the Ward 7 War Room, Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Transport, South African Social Security Agency, Lifeline and Old Mutual.
One of the most moving moments of the event was the testimony of Ms Mthethwa, a cervical cancer survivor who was diagnosed three years ago. She shared her personal journey and attributed her survival to early detection, underscoring the critical importance of regular cervical cancer screening. Her powerful story encouraged community members, particularly women, to prioritise their health and seek screening services.
Her testimony reinforced the message that early detection saves lives and demonstrated the importance of raising awareness about cancer screening and the early identification of health conditions.
The oQondweni Clinic Open Day highlighted the value of integrated service delivery in addressing both health and social challenges within communities. Through Operation Sukuma Sakhe, government departments, healthcare providers and other stakeholders continue to work together to bring services closer to communities, strengthen partnerships and empower residents with the information and support they need to improve their well-being.
