By Sinazo Novukela and Thobeka Makhubela

The Gauteng Department of Health's outreach programme to take health services to township, informal settlements, and hostel (TISH) communities spearheaded by the MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko continues to broaden access to healthcare services and impact lives especially for previously disadvantaged communities.
To date over 12 million people in Gauteng have been reached through campaigns rolled out as part of the TISH programme.
On Thursday, 14 March 2024, Mr Siphiwe Nhlapo, who has cerebral palsy, was one of the four patients from Khutsong near Carletonville in the West Rand who received assistive devices  in the form of brand new and advanced battery-operated wheelchairs. 
The wheelchairs provided are equipped with cushions to prevent pressure sores, and the cushions have waterproof covers to address any wetting accidents. These wheelchairs promote independence and meets the mobility needs of the patients.
The four recipients were identified through the TISH initiative driven by the Rehabilitation Services Unit in the West Rand District Health Services which focuses on the Merafong Sub-District and aims to assist neurological patients by monitoring their condition and providing necessary support.
Nhlapo expressed his gratitude and joy, emphasising that the wheelchair would grant him the ability to do things for himself and be less dependent on other people for his basic needs.
The Rehabilitation Services Unit plays a crucial role in providing ongoing rehabilitation and primary healthcare services to patients. They closely monitor the patients' conditions and ensure that their assistive devices are well-maintained and adjusted as needed, considering that patients' body structures and cognitive states may change over time. The goal is to ensure that the devices continue to meet the patients' evolving needs, promoting independence, safety, and security.
Ms. Nkateleng Dlamini, the head of the Rehabilitation Services Unit, explained that many patients are identified by the Ward Based Outreach Team (WBOT), which assists in locating and referring individuals for further treatment. 
During the handover ceremony of the assistive devices, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko, emphasised that every community member living with disabilities has the right to resources that enhance their quality of life. 
At another TISH outreach to Sethokga hostel in Tembisa on Friday, 15 March where various health services were offered to the community, the MEC highlighted the benefits of early detection of health issues as this significantly enhances the chances of successful treatment or recovery. 
The basket of services taken to the community included comprehensive health screenings, TB testing services, immunization (EPI), vitamin A supplementation, deworming, sexual reproductive services, adherence support for chronic treatment, healthy lifestyle tips, oral health services, pap smears, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, youth-friendly services, and eyecare tests. 
Communities were also encouraged to adopt an active lifestyle and participate in physical exercises as a proactive measure to minimize the risk of developing various illnesses. 
Through the TISH outreach programme, Gauteng Department of Health aims to expand the services available at primary healthcare facilities, bringing them closer to the community for easier accessibility.