By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Bolata Clinic marked World Health Day with a vibrant and informative community outreach event, welcoming residents and raising awareness about essential health services. The event, held on April 30, aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual health campaign and brought together key stakeholders to support and educate the Bolata community.
Local residents responded with enthusiasm and appreciation. Mantshebo Motoboli, a community member, shared her positive experience:
“As a resident of Bolata, I’d like to acknowledge that the clinic staff treat us well. We are happy to see the mobile services here today, and the clinic manager enlightened us on things we didn’t know. However, our clinic is short-staffed and caters to many people. We really need more nurses because the clinic often gets overcrowded. Still, I’ve learned a lot from today’s event.”
Another attendee, Mmadingaan Mofokeng, a grandmother caring for orphaned children, expressed her gratitude for the day’s message and services:
“The service at this clinic is good – I can’t complain. The message I received today is that we should encourage our children to seek health services and support them in making the right choices. As a grandmother of orphans, I appreciate this and will definitely share it with my grandchildren.”
Clinic manager Mami Monareng spoke to The Guard, outlining the purpose and impact of the event:
“In celebration of World Health Day, as established by the WHO, we decided to engage directly with our community. We showcased the services we offer, with various stakeholders also present to provide health services and support.”
Monareng highlighted what sets Bolata Clinic apart from others in the Maluti-a-Phofung area:
“Bolata Clinic is different because we operate with extended hours. We open on Saturdays and Sundays for emergency cases – life-and-death situations. However, we urge residents not to skip regular weekday hours to misuse weekend services.”
Addressing maternity services, Monareng clarified the clinic’s capacity:
“We do have a maternity ward, but as a nurse-driven facility, we advise first-time mothers to go directly to Elizabeth Ross Hospital. We cater to mothers aged 20 and older who are not giving birth for the first time.”
World Health Day Event at Bolata clinic.
She also emphasized the importance of using the clinic’s booking system:
“We encourage community members to use our booking system so we can serve them efficiently. It allows us to allocate time slots and manage our limited staff better.”
The World Health Day celebration at Bolata Clinic proved a resounding success, delivering both healthcare and crucial information to the community. It underscored the commitment of healthcare workers and the ongoing need for greater resources to meet the area’s growing demands.
