The Medics and their Team of Support for Communities
A group of professional men for whom social responsibility is an undertaking not limited to the corporate world, have just completed their annual mission to supply much needed healthcare to remote corners of Namibia. Medic RUSH (Rural Upliftment Social Healthcare) has been operating for ten years and is run by members of the Hochland 154 Round Table (RT). Round Table consists of men who “emphasise the fact that one’s calling offers an excellent medium of service to the community.”
99FM’s MYD Heart spoke to the Chairman of the Hochland 154 RT, Basson van Rooyen, to find out more about their Medic RUSH project and the communities that have been assisted through it.
“A clinic is run over three days and patients can visit for free, be seen by a doctor and receive their medication required. Many times its those that don’t have the means to get to a hospital or doctor which we are able to help.”
Basson explains, “we take medical professionals, Doctors; Nurses; Dentists; Optometrists etc. out to rural areas where Namibians would not normally have access to primary healthcare. A clinic is run over three days and patients can visit for free, be seen by a doctor and receive their medication required. Many times its those that don’t have the means to get to a hospital or doctor which we are able to help.”
Talking about their most recent visit, Basson explains ”We went to farms situated along the Southern border of Etosha where primarily San communities have been resettled. There have been two schools built recently but there is very little in terms of healthcare. The closest clinic or help is in Outjo. We visited three communities in the area; Seringkop, Werda and Balakai. We were very well received by the communities and everyone visiting the clinic got an opportunity to see a doctor.”
“Over the three days we were able to see 380 patients.” Says Basson who explains that this means 380 people were all assisted by a nurse, had a consultation with a doctor and were given any necessary medication free of charge. “All this without having to travel large distances which would normally be required to receive this healthcare.” adds Basson.
It’s a massive project, and compelling when you hear that it’s all volunteer based and that the people doing this project, are doing so in their spare time. Basson notes, “Quite a lot of work goes into a project like this.” He adds, “Every year doctors, nurses and volunteers give their time for free, to go out to the clinics, to help the communities.”
“For many individuals, not living around these centres means they do not has access to healthcare. Medic RUSH tries to reach these people and deliver a service not normally accessible to them.”
It’s a team effort explains Basson, who notes that that their team also consists of the sponsors, “we need to transport everyone and everything to the remote locations. We take along all medical equipment and medication that will be needed. Nampower and Standard Bank have really been great supporters of this project over the years and without them there would be no way to see as many people as we do.”
Explaining why Hochland 154 RT chose to assist with healthcare in remote areas of Namibia, Basson explains, “Namibia is a vast and sparsely populated country with most of the medical facilities concentrated around larger towns and cities. For many individuals, not living around these centres means they do not has access to healthcare. Medic RUSH tries to reach these people and deliver a service not normally accessible to them.“
Basson notes, “For me Round Table is an organisation where young energetic people can get together to give their time and expertise to help those around us and the Namibian community. We create a platform where people can become friends, network and combine their skills. People have the opportunity to learn from much more experienced mentors together with opportunities to learn valuable skills.”
Get involved or support this and other of the Hochland 154 RT initiatives, through their website by clicking here
Take a look at the MedicRUSH video from 2016 :
Written by Kirsty Watermeyer