The initiative of this outreach programme was started in June 2016 in order to improve health care services in areas that do not have an abundance of service providers. As our previous Honorable Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Bernhard Haufiku, had called upon medical service providers to reach out into underserviced areas, this project aims to follow his call. June 2019 will mark the fourth spinal outreach project into the Kavango Region.
We have 4 objectives we would like to meet:
- Deliver free spinal and extremity care treatments to those in need.
- Create awareness about spinal health and related issues.
- Present suggestions to avoid back injuries.
- Introduce simple exercises and postural habits to maintain a healthy spine and joints in general.
All of these are a continuation of our annual drive on World Spine Day (16th October) to raise awareness about bone and joint health. World Spine Day is a globally celebrated day which is part of the Global Alliance of Musculoskeletal Health’s (previously Bone and Joint Decade) Action Week in October every year. You might have read articles in the newspapers referring to this movement.
We feel that education and prevention strategies are key for a healthy, productive and inspired Namibian population. And this programme aims to not only provide treatment, but also to empower people to take responsibility for their spinal and joint health.
This year we will be visiting the Kavango West region from the 12th to 15th of June 2019. We will be serving the communities around Nkurenkuru.
In the previous years we have made the experience that most patients seen were suffering from many other illnesses like TB, recurrent colds and flus, were HIV positive or generally had a weakened immune system. In order to help them regarding an overall stronger health status we discussed dietary options like eating natural traditional foods, cutting out sugar and sugary drinks, drinking a lot more water etc. We however feel that the patients seen could immensely benefit from vitamin supplements or immune boosting products of any sort.
We have been very blessed to receive donations from various companies. Solgar has sponsored children’s vitamins which we will be able to hand out to those in need. And Nandrea/Biorem have given us a brilliant natural immune-boosting product called “Health for Africa”.
We are really looking forward to serving the community.
Kind regards
Elga Drews
President Namibia Chiropractic Association
African Chiropractic Federation 