Health
In 2010, the RBN established the Greater Rustenburg Medical Forum, bringing together heads of mining and private hospitals, the provincial department of health and the Royal Bafokeng Health services. One of the forum’s goals is to improve and expand neonatal care in the region and eradicate mother-to-child HIV transmission.
We have developed a fully equipped emergency call centre based at the Phokeng Health Centre which supports emergency response, security services, infrastructure support, general communications and a dedicated hotline for abused women and children.
Accessing healthcare
As access to healthcare remains a challenge in the villages, we have mobile clinics to extend healthcare to those who have difficulty travelling to clinics or hospitals.
Managing HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS remains a critical issue not only in South Africa, but in Bafokeng communities. The HSDS supports the national government in its management of HIV/AIDS in the Bafokeng area by providing research, testing and treatment upgrades and capacity, and clinic management support.
Social development
Our health and social care teams include over 100 healthcare workers and retired nurses who provide home visits. They offer care and support, screen for tuberculosis (TB), hypertension, HIV/AIDS and diabetes, prescribing treatment when necessary.
Assisting the elderly
Our programmes for the elderly aim to restore dignity, alleviate isolation and promote their human rights. One focus is a programme called the Critical Ten, in which a retired professional nurse and five home-based caregivers cater for the 10 most frail people in each region. In 2010, this project expanded to reach the Critical Fifteen and continues to date. Each patient is seen at least once a week and is assisted with laundry, grocery shopping, household cleaning, food preparation, feeding and getting to clinic visits.
As part of this programme, we have 29 registered lunch clubs that provide food to the elderly daily.
Dignity for the disabled
There are just over 1 000 people living with disabilities in the Bafokeng region. Our disability programme aims to help these people regain their dignity and to allow them to play a meaningful role in the community. Assistive devices, prostheses and wheelchairs are provided free of charge by the Bafokeng Health Centre to those who need them.
Supporting Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs)
South Africa’s HIV/AIDS pandemic has resulted in rising numbers of orphans and vulnerable children and the RBN is unfortunately no exception. Initiated in Machorora in 2005, our OVC programme comprises centres in different villages to provide children with after-school care, psycho-social support, healthy meals and help with homework.
Our OVC programme is a partnership between the Royal Bafokeng Health and Social Development Services and Tapologo, a community-based not-for-profit organisation which focuses on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, including OVC care. Together, these two organisations have formed a non-governmental organisation, Godisanang, to spearhead OVC projects in the RBN.
Providing social case-work services and family care
Our social workers offer case-work services in five Bafokeng regions, assisting people with social issues such as those related to marriage, relationships and family. While statutory cases are referred to the Department of Social Services, our social workers manage a significant number of non-statutory cases.
Combatting substance abuse
The needs and concerns of Bafokeng youth are receiving greater attention, in part through the establishment of the Bafokeng Youth Centre in Luka. The centre was opened in 2010 and includes a computer lab, radio station, clinic, basketball court and sports fields. The centre is run in partnership with LoveLife South Africa, the largest national HIV prevention initiative for young people. The RBN has now established 29 youth clubs, one in each village, with representatives forming five regional youth structures.
Victim empowerment programme
Launched in 2008, the Victim Empowerment Centre in Phokeng provides confidential services to members of the community who are victims of rape, domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking.