Believe it or not, in popular townships like Soweto, accessing quality healthcare and other essential services remains a struggle for many South Africans. Despite the presence of healthcare facilities in these communities, people continue to face difficulties in accessing the essential medical care they need due to a lack of resources and understaffed facilities.
PinkDrive NPC, a health sector NGO committed to delivering free gender-related cancer screening services aimed at early detection, has consistently bridged gaps and served as a shining light for communities in need nationwide. PinkDrive’s Mobile Health Units travel nationwide to extend the reach of critical screening services to areas lacking advanced screening capabilities.
“Our focus is to provide gender-related cancer screenings to those who don’t have access to health resources or facilities in rural and peri-urban areas. We assist with these essential health services in hospitals and clinics managed by the Gauteng Department of Health and City of Johannesburg, which do not have mammography facilities,” says Nelius Du Preez, National Marketing & Event Co-ordinator at PinkDrive. “We offer free services, including mammograms, pap smears, PSA tests, and clinical breast exams.”
As an ongoing mission to assist communities that need healthcare services, PinkDrive will be providing free mammograms and pap smear tests at Greenvillage Clinic in Soweto on Mandela Day. In addition to the free healthcare services that will be provided on the day, PinkDrive and Vuma will be providing warm drinks and blankets to members who come for their tests at the clinic.
“Giving back is part of our business philosophy, and we will always do our best to support our communities and beyond. At Vuma, we believe in the warmth of kindness and the idea that ‘because we can, we must’. While PinkDrive plays a fundamental role in improving access to vital services throughout the year, we wholeheartedly support the message behind Mandela Day—that everyone has a reason and a way to support others,” says Taylor Kwong, CSI and Marketing Manager at Vuma.
“Winter is a particularly difficult time of year, and adding warmth and kindness to people’s lives by providing blankets and hot beverages can be a simple yet powerful way we can make life better for the people PinkDrive serves. Mandela Day is an incredible opportunity to reflect on what matters most: helping our communities by giving them a fighting chance. It starts with us connecting with the communities we operate in, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive, starting with the vital care that PinkDrive gives.”
On the frontline
There are roughly 1.1 million new cancer cases diagnosed in Africa each year, with about 700,000 deaths. South Africa contributes significantly to this number, with 51.3% of women and 48,6% of men diagnosed with cancer.
PinkDrive has been on the frontline in South Africa’s battle against gender-related cancers for over 15 years, having performed almost half a million clinical breast exams, more than 27,000 mammograms and thousands of male breast examinations since its inception in 2009.
“The biggest problem we see is that people arrive at public hospitals and clinics with late or advanced-stage cancer and are not going to get the treatment they need. Our job is to get them there sooner because early detection can help prolong lives,” adds Du Preez.
To support PinkDrive and find out more about its Mobile Health Units and other initiatives, visit the PinkDrive website.