Clinic offers free health checks

Some 270 people attended a free, annual health clinic organised by the Hout Bay Rotary Club at Sentinel Primary School at the weekend.

Eye testing, blood testing and dental checks were among the services offered, said Hout Bay Rotary Club member Adele Hayden

“We had help from the University of the Western Cape’s dental faculty, the University of Cape Town’s Kid’s Clinic as well as their Men’s Health division and audiologists,” she said.

One of the volunteers was Chris Pearce, a third-year UCT medical student who is the head of paediatric clinics on the steering committee of the Students' Health and Welfare Centre's Organization (Shawco), a student-run NGO based at UCT.

“As head of paediatrics, it’s my job to ensure that the children of the community get the medical care they need and deserve. Thus, I was responsible for organising medication, equipment and paediatricians to ensure they received care at the clinic.

“Living in SA, I’ve seen suffering around me all my life and have always wanted to do something about it. Through Shawco and my education, I have gained the tools and knowledge to be able to make a change. Through this initiative I hope to ensure people who are disadvantaged, get the medical care they deserve,“ he said.