The health fair was organised to, among others, raise awareness and to educate the community on public health issues besides donating food hampers to the less privileged members of the society. The UB team also as offered career guidance to students.
Further, the residents had the opportunity to interact with health professionals from the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Kweneng District Health Management Team, Botswana Association of Family Physicians, Council of International Students Exchange Education, Botswana Optometrists Association, Anti-Tobacco Network and Botswana University of Maryland School of Medicine Health Initiative (bammhi).
The residents gathered at the Kgotla where they underwent medical check-ups for conditions such a blood pressure, Body Mass Index, temperature, sugar, cholesterol, eye testing, cancer, HIV testing, TB scanning, mental health, partner testing and blood donation.
They were also offered counselling on non-communicable disease, sexual and reproductive health dialogue with youth, self-care health advice and stress management spearheaded by American students from different universities who are currently hosted by CIEE and takin courses at UB. The community was also advised on eating healthy foods and regular physical activity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Head of the Department of Public in the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Tiny Masupe, said the country was currently experiencing a pandemic on non-communicable diseases hence underscoring the need for community health fairs for effective education and intervention efforts to address the challenges.
Professor Masupe further said non communicable were driven by forces such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco use or harmful use of alcohol, ageing and many others. She added that non-communicable diseases could be prevented and controlled through testing and excising as well as healthy lifestyle.
For her part, Kgope traditional head, Ms Victoria Kgosi Mokgalo, applauded UB for the continued support and care to Kgope community. She also encouraged the community to open up to health officials in consultations but appreciated the community for responding to the call in large numbers.
Source: University of Botswana