BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
NKHABA – Over 120 residents from Maguga and surrounding communities under Nkhaba Inkhundla received free medical assistance during a health outreach conducted by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) at Maguga Clinic.
The outreach, which took place yesterday, offered a wide range of health services including hypertension and diabetes screening, cervical cancer testing, tuberculosis screening, and HIV testing.
The services were well-received, with many residents expressing gratitude for the efficient and timely healthcare provided.
Tembono Sukati, one of the beneficiaries, described the service as unusually fast compared to normal clinic days.
“Thank you Taiwan Technical Mission. Today’s service was very quick. Usually, we arrive in the morning and only leave the clinic around 5:00 p.m., but today we were done by 1:00 p.m.,” she said.
She urged for such health outreaches to be held more frequently, especially for patients living with chronic conditions.
“On normal days, patients with hypertension and diabetes are mixed with others, which causes delays. But today, everything was organised and focused. We really appreciate this effort,” she added.
Taiwan Technical Mission Project Manager Amon Yang said the turnout was impressive and that the team was happy to serve the community.
“We had more than 120 residents come through today. During screening, we discovered that many elderly people are living with hypertension and diabetes. We took time to teach them about regular exercise, healthy eating, and ways to reduce stress,” said Yang.
He added that several patients were referred to hospital for further treatment.
Maguga Clinic Acting Matron, Samkelisiwe Simelane, also commended the outreach, saying it helped provide essential services that the clinic cannot handle on its own within a single day.
“The patient turnout was incredible. People came from across Maguga, and many were screened for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Those who tested positive were referred for follow-up treatment,” she said.
“We’re especially grateful for the cervical cancer screenings. It’s not easy to provide such services to large numbers on a normal day. This outreach made it possible,” she added.
Sibongile Dlamini, another patient, shared some of the health education they received.
“We were advised to reduce our intake of starch, especially porridge, and eat more vegetables. We were also told not to eliminate salt completely, but to use it in moderation,” she said.
“They also made it clear that house chores are not exercise. We need to do proper workouts like jogging to stay fit. I’m thankful for the cancer screening as well, I’m still waiting for the results,” she added.
The Taiwan Technical Mission continues to play a key role in supporting rural health systems across Eswatini, working closely with local clinics to bridge service gaps and promote wellness.
(Courtesy Pics)
