Heineken donates mobile health clinic for rural people

WINDHOEK – PharmAccess Foundation Namibia on Wednesday officially launched the first Mister Sister Mobile Health Service in Okahandja.

The mobile primary health care clinic was donated by the Heineken Africa Foundation.The mobile clinic is a 4-ton Mitsubishi Canter (4X4 model) with two consultation rooms, a toilet and a small pharmacy, said PharmAcces Foundation’s General Manager Ingrid de Beer at the launch held at the Okahandja Reit Club.’The core target group for this programme are rural employees and their dependents, whose employers contribute towards the cost of their healthcare through annual subscription and premium contributions,’ de Beer said.She explained that each consultation room is equipped with running water, air conditioning and a fridge, adding that the mobile clinic has a generator and a battery to generate electricity.It is staffed by an enrolled nurse, registered nurse and a driver, who is trained to assist with administrative duties and health education.De Beer added that the mobile clinic adheres to all requirements as set forth by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and is in possession of a registration certificate to operate as a mobile primary health care clinic.The mobile clinics will provide health services to rural and remote populations on a fixed route schedule.’The mobile clinic will stop at central sites on a given route once a month,’ she noted.Rural and remote populations in the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke and Khomas regions are the target group for the first Mister Sister programme.She added that patients visiting the mobile clinic will be provided with all services which can be offered by a registered nurses.These services are provided in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s protocols and directives, and include but are not limited to: confirmation of pregnancy and routine ante-and post-natal care; routine immunisations which are part of the ministry’s vaccination programme and ‘well child’ care and monitoring.Screening for tuberculosis (TB) symptoms will be a routine of the clinic.Other services are diagnosis and treatment of routine communicable diseases including: respiratory infections, malaria, sexually transmitted infections, diarrhoea and vomiting; worms and parasites; and testing, referral and follow up on chronic diseases, such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes and arthritis.Patients who require the services of a doctor or hospital and who cannot be treated within the scope of practice of the nurse in the mobile clinic will be referred to the nearest public health facility for care.An agreement for referral is in place between PharmAccess and the Ministry of Health and Social Service.-Nampa

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