CANSA Partners with the Mpumalanga Department of Health
Zodwa Sithole CANSA Head Advocacy
The Cancer Association of South Africa’s (CANSA) Advocacy team regularly lobbies and engages with the Departments of Health and aims to establish partnerships with key National and Provincial stakeholders.
CANSA advocates for the training of Primary Health Professional Care Workers on the top five cancers for men and women prevalent in SA.
This will help with the early detection of cancer in the Primary Health settings and early access to cancer treatment.
The focus is mainly with the Provincial Departments of Health, and our CANSA Service team implement the activities in the provinces. Read more…
The Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Health, Mpumalanga focusses on the following cancer awareness activities:
- Leading a balanced lifestyle to lower the cancer risk
- The importance of regular cancer screening, early detection and treatment
- Training Outreach Team Leaders and Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) on the top five cancers for men and women prevalent in SA
- Collaborating to promote health awareness
- Supporting cancer patients at state hospitals – CANSA aims to set up Information and Support Desks at oncology departments within Mpumalanga
- Providing free psychosocial support through our CANSA Tele Counselling service, available in seven South African languages
Activities
The CANSA team facilitated training sessions in May 2024, which was made possible by Stefanutti Stocks, a construction company in the community of Gert Sibande and Govan Mbeki subdistrict.
This included a one-day clinic offering Clinic Breast Examinations by a CANSA Nurse, plus training of 25 Outreach Team Leaders on the top five cancers for men and women prevalent in SA, who in turn, will train the Outreach Teams.
A further 22 Traditional Health Practitioners, registered with the Department of Health were also trained on the top five cancers.
Ms Zodwa Sithole, CANSA Head Advocacy (front left), Ms Mamolefe Selokela, Manager: African Medicine Programme (standing far right) and the Traditional Health Practitioners from the Govan Mbeki Municipality
Special Thanks
CANSA acknowledges and thanks the Mpumalanga Department of Heath team for their continued support and making sure that the project could be implemented.
- Dr H. Tshehla: Manager: Oral Health
- Ms S. Mvelase: Coordinator Regional Training Centre
- Ms N. Masilela: Assistance Manager PHC Govan Mbeki
- Ms I Kekane: Provincial Chairperson NCDs
- Ms B Mashele: Deputy Director Provincial Community Based Health Services
- Ms M. Selokela: Manager: ATM/Pharmacists’ Allocations
