Athlone Park Clinic and co uplift the community
Also read: Amanzimtoti CPF empowers community
Role players that stepped in to offer a helping hand included the Amanzimtoti CPF, Sparrow Trust, the National Prosecuting Authority, and Amanzimtoti police.
Clinic staff went into depth on topics such as HIV/Aids, the importance of using contraceptives, tuberculosis and other diseases. They also informed people how to prevent certain health-related issues in the long term, thereby avoiding the need for chronic medication once such ailments worsen. For example, to prevent high cholesterol, cut down on oil, or to stave off diabetes, limit sugar intake.
Merlene Matthews, Amanzimtoti CPF chairperson, touched on World Drowning Prevention Day, which fell on the clinic's open day, harkening back to a near drowning at Warner Beach. She advised attendees of the open day to steer clear of non-bathing beaches.
Amanzimtoti CPF PRO and founding director of Sparrow Trust, Estelle van Eeden, advised on cyber safety. She touched on novel and common cybercrime South Africans fall prey to, as well as warning signs to look out for during any online interactions, and where to report such encounters. The pair also brightened the day of little ones by handing out little plush animals to them.
Also read: eThekwini commits to engaging Lower Illovo residents
'It is an awareness event as it is information the community doesn't have access to. This is a very proactive clinic in terms of how it empowers the community,' said Van Eeden.
NPA senior prosecutor Nokukhanya Gcwabaza explained maintenance laws to the public, their right to access to court, and which documents they need to bring when making an application for maintenance.
'Contrary to popular belief, maintenance does not end when a child is 18 years old, but when they are fully self-sufficient. I did my best to empower the public on spousal maintenance, the civil remedies if there is a breach of a protection order, area maintenance and jurisdiction,' said Gcwabaza.
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