This year\u2019s Rotary Family Health Days campaign in South Africa will be big in every sense of the word.<\/p>\n
It spans three Rotary Districts, 9400, 9370 and 9350.<\/p>
It brings together many volunteers and healthcare workers across the private and public sector.<\/p>\n
It is also a formal partnership with national government, which has included Rotary Family Health Days on its national calendar.<\/p>
This is a first.<\/p>\n
Inspired by USA Rotarian Marion Bunch, this will be the third Rotary Family Health Day campaign in South Africa, and the biggest ever.<\/p>\n
From October 7 to 9, the organisers aim to provide free health screenings and immunisations to up to 75 000 community members at an estimated 140 sites around the country.<\/p>\n
This campaign is also being held in Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana.<\/p>\n
Rotary Family Health Days 2015 is an example of public-private partnership at its best.<\/p>\n
Public-private partnerships are essential for solving the challenges faced by society.<\/p>\n
Neither government nor the private sector can tackle these on their own.<\/p>\n
The logistics for the sites will be provided by the National Department of Health with support from Rotary volunteers, while sponsorship is provided by the MTN South Africa Foundation.<\/p>\n
Media support for awareness of the campaign is vital; this will come from the SABC, the national public broadcaster, along with Caxton and Independent Newspapers, publishers that own many local newspapers around the country.<\/p>\n
Rotarians for Family Health and Aids Prevention (RFHA) is the convener and managing partner of the programme.<\/p>\n
A project on this scale cannot happen without commitment and sacrifice from many individuals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is through the dedication and hard work of all partners but particularly the volunteer aspect of many Rotarians on the ground that has made this campaign such a huge success,\u201d said Sue Paget, Southern Africa programme director of Rotary Family Health Days.<\/p>\n
The effects of the campaign will be felt long after the last volunteers go home.<\/p>\n
In bringing together so many South Africans from all walks of life to work as one, Rotary Family Health Days contributes to building a legacy of social cohesion that will ultimately improve the quality of life for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is hard work,\u201d said David Grant, District Governor of Rotary District 9400.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it is absolutely worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Rotary Theme for 2015 is: Be a gift to the world.<\/p>\n
The Rotary Family Health Days have brought this to life in the most meaningful way possible.<\/p>\n
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