PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY KZN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

UNWELE OLUDEWitness

THE

UNWELE OLUDE

Feeding the hungryat hospitalPage 2

Hearing the call tohealingPage 3

Health education atprimary schoolsPage 6

Healing theholistic wayPage 7

Using magnets forbetter healthPage 5

Free screeningsfor eyesPage 4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2005

MBALI THUSI

IN August the Provincial Depart-ment of Health officially openeda 24-hour operations centre — a

first of its kind in the country.To access the operations centre,

a toll-free number — 0800 005 133— was established to give the pub-lic access to health information,advice and any other informationor details that one may need whenit comes to healthcare.

The Department of Health’s headoffice is based in Pietermaritzburgon the 16th floor of Natalia. Thisstate-of-the-art centre boasts mod-ern and hi-tech equipment.

The establishment of the callcentre was aimed at taking healthcare directly to the people as it pro-vides an uninterrupted service to

the public by means of a radiocommunication system, facsimile,e-mail, SMS, landline and cellulartelecommunications.

The public is taking advantage ofthe call centre and more than 4 509calls have been received throughthe toll-free number to date.

“The establishment of this centrehas led to great success in terms ofthe public accessing the depart-ment and in accelerating communi-cation between the public and thedepartment,” said KholekileNtsobi, manager for emergencymedical rescue services in thedepartment.

He went on to say: “The call cen-tre also helps us to respondtimeously to emergency cases andwith the tracking technology, thecentre is geared up to pre-warn

emergency medical services andrespond to emergencies quickly,thus improving our response time,”said Ntsobi.

A large portion of the callsreceived were from people whorequested information on HIV andAids, and others were interested infinding out about antiretroviralmedication.

“It is good that people are able tocall us and talk about issues aroundHIV and Aids. It is also interestingthat some people have contactedthe call centre wanting to visitKwaZulu-Natal and asking for gen-eral health information. Thismeans we are contributing in someway to tourism,” he said.

The nature of other calls thathave been handled by the call cen-tre ranged from people wanting to

report abuse, corruption, fraud,missing persons, accidents, mattersrelation to labour, lack of safetyand complaints. Every complaint isfollowed up.

The centre cost the department ahefty R3 million and 80% of thiscost was contributed by the GlobalFund.

The opening of the OperationsCentre has created employment formore than 40 people, includingthose with disabilities.

With the festive seasonapproaching, the work that is beingdone by the team at the call centrewill no doubt help to enhance theefficient co-ordination of emer-gency medical care should crisesarise.

The public can phone the callcentre 24 hours a day, toll-free.

Photo: THEMBA MNGOMEZULU24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK: The call centre has a dedicated team which mans the communication lines to provide advice and assistancein any type of the situation. Hard at work at the call centre is Nomusa Khanyile (left) and Mxolisi Thabede.

THE Provincial Department ofHealth learned with shock and sad-ness of the untimely death of two ofits emergency services staff mem-bers in a car accident recently.

Scelo Mbatha and PraveshChanda, both from the Greytownambulance base, died on duty whenthe ambulance in which they weretravelling collided with anothervehicle.

They were transporting a 35-year-old pregnant woman who wasin labour to Greytown Hospital.

The patient, as well as the driver

of the othervehicle, werealso killed inthe accident.

The acci-dent tookplace in theearly hours ofOctober 22.

This tragicevent hasrobbed thedepartment ofemergency medical services familymembers and has left a huge gap in

the service. The depart-

ment wouldlike to send itssincere condo-lences to thefriends andfamilies ofMbatha andChanda, aswell as to thecrew whoworked with

them.The KZN MEC for Health, Peggy

Nkonyeni, the head of departmentProfessor Green-Thompson and theentire Department of Health sendtheir heartfelt condolences to thebereaved families.

Nkonyeni said: “Our crews workthrough the day and night to savethe lives of community members inneed of emergency care.

“A loss is therefore not only aloss for the department and for thebereaved families but is indeed aloss to the whole community thatthese brave men served.”

May their souls rest in peace.

Scelo Mbatha. Pravesh Chanda.

Tragic loss to the Emergency Medical Services family

Thousands phone call centre

WHEN did you start working forthe Department of Health? Istarted in January this year

after finishing my studies at Stellen-bosch University in the Western Cape.I am currently doing community ser-vice at Osindisweni Hospital. I amthoroughly enjoying the work I amdoing here.

How did the feeding programmestart?

I was approached by Dr SurayaNaidoo, who wanted to involve me instarting a feeding programme. As adietician I am supposed to assist infood sustainability and household foodsecurity in the community. I agreedand in July this year we started theprogramme, which I am co-ordinatingat the hospital. The patients and peo-ple who come to me for assistance areoften referred by a doctor, nurse,physiotherapist or any otherhealth worker who identifiesthem as needy.

How are you man-aging tokeep thepro-

gramme going? It is amazing how the local

people in the community andthe business people haveopened up their hearts togive to the needy andthe less fortunate.

People like Mr andMrs Govender ofEverest Flexible andPreggie Naidoo ofCalypso Carriers arejust some of themany peoplewho are help-ing us withdona-

tions. I have evenasked family and

friends to donatefood. Even staffmembers

donate food. What have

you experi-enced sincethe pro-grammestarted?

I haverealisedwhatabject

povertysome

people live in and it saddens me. Ihave dealt with babies and childrenwho are malnourished simply becausethey don’t have anything to eat athome. I see grandparents having tocarry the burden of looking after theirgrandchildren who have beenorphaned. If I can help one person Iknow that I can make a difference andso far we have managed to continue.

“I get so much joy from seeingsomeone gaining weight and smilingjust because they have food in theirstomachs.

What have been the challenges? It’s sometimes difficult to identify

those who are really in need fromthose who just want handouts or a freehamper. Regardless of this, we try ourbest to ensure that those who areneedy get assistance. As the pro-gramme continues to grow, we hopewe will be able to reach out to morepeople.

How do you unwind? I love going to the beach and

socialising with friends.

Page 2 — Advertorial supplement to The WitnessFriday, October 4, 2005

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Keeping starvation at bay

MOTHER OF TRIPLETSIt was the best present anymother could ask for. OnOctober 17 the departmenthanded over a bootload ofbaby clothing, donated bygenerous members of thepublic, to LungileMakhathini, giving her morereason to celebrate that hertriplets were one month oldon October 18. WhenMakhathini (19) gave birthto her triplets —Simamukele, Sisanda andSamkelo — it made news.The fact that she and thefather of the babies areunemployed made the caringfor three babies an evenheavier burden.Makhathini’s plight touchedthe hearts of many anddonations came in thick andfast. ‘I am so happy. I amreally surprised that peoplewho do not know me can beso kind and generous to me.I can never say really howgrateful I am. It will certainlyhelp me for a long, long timebecause some of theseclothes range from newbornto toddler,’ said a jubilantMakhathini.

‘I AM REALLY SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME CAN BE SO KIND AND GENEROUS.’

Dietician Elouise Casey . . . co-ordinating a feeding programme at Osindisweni Hospital.

At the age of 23 Elouise Casey has made a difference to poor patients who come through to Osindisweni Hospitalwith nothing in their stomachs. Casey, a dietician at the hospital in Verulam, co-ordinates a feeding programme withzero budget — but with faith and the willingness to lend a helping hand, she has put food on many tables.MBALI THUSI spoke to the charismatic and energetic Casey about the feeding programme and her career.

Photo: THEMBA MNGOMEZULU

Left: Dietician ElouiseCasey . . . ‘It isamazing how the localpeople in thecommunity and thebusiness people haveopened up their heartsto give to the needyand the less fortunate.’

— Page 3Advertorial supplement to The Witness Friday, October 4, 2005

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BONGANI HANS

ELLIOT Ndlovu, better known asMluleki or Dr Ndlovu, is a traditionalhealer whose plants are makinginroads in the Western world.

To find him, one has to navigate thenarrow R103, through the majestichills between Howick and NottinghamRoad. About five to six kilometresfrom that small town is a colourfulboard on the left-hand side of the road,which points to the turn-off to FordounSpa, Hotel and Restaurant.

The hotel is the place where Ndlovuruns his business as an inyanga orsangoma, catering for all races,including overseas tourists.

Ndlovu, a father of two, is a strictbusinessman who does not toleratepeople who are late for appointments.He works hard to make his traditionalhealing business grow and it looks as ifhe has succeeded in this, looking at hissophisticated medicine and threeworld-class consulting rooms. Onedoes not have to contend with the rot-ting odour of animal skins or parts. Hejust uses plants and more plants.

Surrounding his traditional consult-

ing huts is a garden of different plants.He plants what he needs and once theyhave grown, he harvests the plants andsends them to Johannesburg, wherethey are processed and bottled.

They are then sent back to him,looking much like West-ern medicines.

“I’m well known andrespected. I haveappeared on televisionprograms such as 50/50,Top Billing, Free Spiritand Focus, explaininghow to use traditionalplants for healing in a way that doesnot open them to abuse.

“In 1997 I travelled to England withthe National Botanic Institution (NBI)to participate in a competition aboutplants. We returned with a silvermedal,” said the dreadlocked inyanga.

Ndlovu’s traditional healing careerbegan in 1994 but he only startedworking with John Bates, manager ofFordoun, in the middle of last year.

To follow this career path, Ndlovuhad to leave his job at Mooi River Tex-tiles, where he had been employedfrom 1983 to 1989.

He dropped out of KwaMpandeHigh School in 1979 because due to“pressure from his ancestors”.

Around this time, he spent threehours in a deep pool in Mpofana, dur-ing which his ancestors kept talking to

him about healing people.

Relating the story,Ndlovu said he wasworking peacefullywith his colleagues atthe textile factory in1989 when his ances-tors sent him a mes-

sage to quit his job and leave MooiRiver because there was going to bepolitical violence in the area and in thefactory. Immediately after he left,trouble broke out.

“As I was at home in Thendele(rural area near Nottingham), doingnothing, I became manic. I ran forabout 50 km until I came to MpofanaRiver. There I dived into a deep pooland stayed in it for about three hours.I couldn’t see anything but heard thevoices of my ancestors telling me toheal people with plants,” said Ndlovu.

He added that he started to plant

different herbs in his small garden andused them to heal people who came tohim.

Ndlovu also became involved in thelocal Vukani Skills Development pro-gramme, a community developmentproject.

Coincidentally, he met Bates, whowas also involved in the same project.At that stage Bates was running a live-stock farm in the area.

Bates says: “We became closefriends and, last year, when I decidedto stop farming and open my hotel andrestaurant, I invited Ndlovu to comeand work with me because I had afeeling that his herbs could be used inmy spa,” said Bates.

Ndlovu was once a member of theKwaZulu-Natal Traditional HealersAssociation, but he said he left theorganisation because he was unhappywith the way it was run He refused toelaborate further.

When he is not consulting with hispatients, Ndlovu is busy crushingAfrican potatoes, also known asinkomfe, to make coffee.

He also uses the potatoes for healingpurposes.

The traditional healerwho caters for all races

MBALI THUSI

JUST over six months ago, the Provin-cial Department of Health embarkedon a programme of training emer-gency care practitioners in basic lifesupport.

This initiative started as a pilot pro-gramme driven by Emergency Med-ical Rescue Services (EMRS) in thedepartment and is now bearing fruit.Since it was started as a pilot pro-gramme, only 50 candidates were tobe recruited. Successful candidatesstarted a three-month training pro-gramme in August of this year. Theyhave recently graduated and they areready to serve the public and provideemergency care.

The graduation of these recruitscould not have come at a better timeas we approach the festive season. It isanticipated that there will be anincreased need for emergency ser-vices throughout this period.

The training was done at the EMRStraining centre in the Ugu District onthe south coast. The 50 recruits wereselected from throughout the provinceand the selection criteria stated thatcandidates had to be unemployed, bein a possession of a Grade 12 certifi-cate and had to be individuals whohave not been presented with anopportunity to further their studies.

According to EMRS’s PriyaMaharaj, it is the first time that such arecruitment programme has been suc-

cessfully carried out in the country.“Almost all the recruits who havegraduated are from the rural areasand 16 of them are female,” saidMaharaj. She went on to say theywould be presented with opportunitiesto further their careers with EMRS.

“They can study further via ourrecently opened college at NorthdaleHospital,” said Maharaj.

As part of the transformationprocess, the department has unveiledand introduced rank insignia for alloperation supervisors and officers. Itis the first time in the history of Emer-gency Medical Services in SouthAfrica that more than 150 emergencymedical care supervisors have beenconfirmed and awarded their rank

insignias. This is aimed at strengthen-ing governance and ensuring continu-ity of pre-hospital and in-hospitalemergency medical care. The gradua-tion ceremony of the 50 traineescoincided with the department’slaunch of Alpha Operation.

Fifty of 200 newly acquiredambulances were showcased at thegraduation.

These will assist during Alpha Oper-ation over the holiday season.

The operation aims to increase thenumber of ambulances on majorroutes during the holiday period.

The public will be advised throughthe media of the dates for sending inapplications for the intake of the sec-ond group of recruits.

First Emergency Medical Services recruits training a success

‘I heard myancestors’ voices,telling me to healpeople throughplants.’

Photo: BONGANI HANS

His ancestorssent him a

message toquit his job. ”“

MBALI THUSI

CHOCOLATE, sweets, cakes andchips, you name it — we all cravethem from time to time.

For most teenagers chocolates,cakes and chips are all part of whatthey consider to be their staple diet.All this changed for 20-year-oldLelethu Gxagxisa when she found outthat she was diabetic. For Gxagxisa itmeant no pudding, ice cream ormince pies, as she found out onChristmas Eve that she was diabetic.

Gxagxisa, a web design student,says the symptoms had always beenthere. “I was passing urine a lot, Iwas extremely thirsty no matter howmuch cooldrink or water I drank. Iwas always drowsy and my eyeswould just shut by themselves,” saidGxagxisa.

When she went for a blood sugarlevel test, it showed that her bloodsugar levels were very high. “I wasreally scared but my family andfriends were very supportive andunderstanding,” said Gxagxisa.

She had to go on a tailored diet andinject herself with insulin four timesa day.

“It took some getting used to butnow it’s okay and my friends atschool always remind me to take myinsulin injections. I have type onediabetes and that is why I have tohave insulin injections,” she says.

Gxagxisa has an injection 30 min-utes before having a meal and has tohave another at around midnight.

“I now follow a diet and have to eateither grilled, boiled, fat-free or low-fat foods and I am not supposed to eatsalt and sugar,” she added.

Gxagxisa says that although she isdiabetic, she leads a normal, ener-

getic life, like many other young peo-ple, and is studying and looks afterherself.

She urged those who show signsand symptoms of being diabetic toseek medical attention. “Those withdiabetes must take their medicationreligiously and follow their eatingplan, as advised by a doctor.”

ROZ JORDAN

THE KwaZulu-Natal Department ofHealth, along with the rest of SouthAfrica and the world, commemoratedWorld Sight Day on October 13. Thisyear the event was held at MosvoldHospital in Umkhanyakude District.

World Sight Day is an annual eventfocusing on global blindess. It aims tocreate awareness around the worldabout the prevention and treatment ofthe loss of vision. With 13 hospitals inKwaZulu-Natal providing eye caresurgery, every citizen of the provincecan be helped to prevent avoidableblindness.

Up to 80% of cases of blindness areavoidable, either resulting from pre-

ventable conditions (20%) or beingtreatable (60%) so that sight isrestored. Prevention and treatment ofvision loss are among the most costeffective and successful of all healthinterventions. These interventionsinclude: cataract surgery to cure thiseye disease relating to ageing, pre-vention of trachoma, provision of thedrug ivermectin for the treatment ofthe infectious disease river blindness,immunisation against measles, provi-sion of vitamin A supplements for theprevention of child blindness and theprovision of eye glasses.

In KwaZulu-Natal, there are 60 000blind people and 48 000 of these areneedlessly blind. The most commoncause of needless blindness in

KwaZulu-Natal is the cataract. Itaccounts for 60% of blindness. Thecataract can result as a part of theageing process. It is a clouding of thelens of the eye. It causes a gradualmisting of vision, with no pain.

The causes of avoidable blindessare frequently associated withpoverty and lack of access to eye careservices. Avoidable blindess is morecommon in the poor, women and ruralpopulations. The KZN Department ofHealth supports the global Vision2020 initiative: the elimination ofavoidable blindness by the year 2020.Visual disability has far-reachingimplications, touching on all aspectsof development — social and eco-nomic — and quality of life.

Page 4 — Advertorial supplement to The WitnessFriday, October 4, 2005

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PREVENTION IS BETTER THANCURE THIS SUMMER

AS the summer season looms, it isalways anticipated that diseasessuch as cholera and malaria couldsurface. With the rainy seasonapproaching, the department wouldlike to remind the community topractise the best possible hygienemeasures to ensure that any possi-ble outbreak of disease is averted.

MalariaAlthough every effort has been

made by the KZN Department ofHealth to reduce malaria in theprovince, it is still advisable to takeprecautions when travelling tomalaria areas, especially in northernKwaZulu-Natal. • There are various malaria preven-tion tablets on the market.• Use insect repellent on exposedskin. • Sleep under a mosquito net or in anetted tent, hut, house or caravanwith screens. • Close windows and doors at night. • Spray insecticide aerosol and/orburn mosquito coils at night.

CholeraCholera is a bacterial infection

which is contracted by drinking cont-aminated water or by eating foodwhich has been in contact with cont-aminated water, flies or soiledhands. The germs responsible forcholera are found in the stools ofhuman beings. Profuse waterystools or diarrhoea that is sudden inonset, plus vomiting and rapid dehy-dration (caused by loss of bodywater) are some of the most com-mon symptoms of cholera.

Although KwaZulu-Natal has beenfaced with an outbreak of cholera inthe past, it is possible to visitcholera areas in absolute safety pro-vided simple hygienic practices arefollowed.

The following simple guidelinesmust always be followed: • Washing hands before meals,washing fruit and vegetables andwashing hands after going to the toi-let or touching pets. • Do not allow children to play indirty pools of water, rivulets or stormwater outlets. • If you are unsure of the water in aparticular area, it is advisable totreat it before using it, drinking it orcooking with it. This can be done byboiling the water before drinking.Treat the water by adding one tea-spoon of bleach to 25 litres of waterand leave to stand for a minimum oftwo hours before drinking.

TyphoidGood hygiene can also help pre-

vent typhoid fever. Typhoid is causedby a bacterium and is contracted bydrinking water or eating food conta-minated by salmonella. Some of thesymptoms include: continuous fever; headache; nausea and/or anorexia; constipation or diarrhoea; and/or hoarse cough.

Here are some guidelines forkeeping you and your family safe: • Cooking food thoroughly, boiling oradding bleach to drinking water andwashing of hands can help halt thespread of the disease.• Cooking kills typhoid — so thor-oughly cook all meats, fish and veg-etables. Eat them while they are hot. • Wash your hands before preparingor serving food.• Wash your dishes and utensilswith soap and water. • Wash your cutting board especiallywell with soap and water. • Peel your fruit.• Store drinking water in a cleancontainer with a small opening or acover. Use it within four hours. Pourfrom the water container — do notdip a cup into the container. • Typhoid germs are invisible. Theycan be carried on your hands with-out your knowing it. When washingyour hands, always use soap andplenty of clean water and wash thefront and back of the hands andbetween the fingers as well as nails.Always use a toilet or latrine andkeep it clean. Dispose of babies’faeces in the toilet or latrine (or burythem).• Remember that polluted water isthe most common source of typhoid.

THERE are three types of diabetes,namely: type one, type two andgestational diabetes.

Type one diabetes: if a personhas this type of diabetes it meansthe pancreas stops producinginsulin. People with type one dia-betes have to inject insulin intotheir bodies to survive. A combina-tion of this and a balanced diet, aswell as exercise, is important inmanaging the condition.

Type two diabetes: This type ofdiabetes occurs when the insulin iseither not enough or does not workproperly. Most people with diabeteshave this type. Maintaining ahealthy diet and lifestyle are impor-tant in managing type two dia-betes. Medication can be adminis-tered. High blood glucose levelscan lead to blindness, stroke or

heart attacks, kidney failure andamputation.

Gestational diabetes: Some preg-nant women experience this duringpregnancy and the condition disap-pears after birth. However, themother and the baby could haveincreased chances of developingdiabetes at a later stage.

Frequent urination, thirst, weightloss, fatigue, blurred vision, fre-quent infections, cuts and bruisesthat take time to heal, tingling andnumbness in the hands or feet arecommon signs and symptoms ofdiabetes.

Dr Frederick Banting, who iscredited with the discovery of thedrug insulin, was born on Novem-ber 14, which is why that date waschosen for World Diabetes Day.

— www.diabetessa.co.za

Andthen

therewas

Putting diabetes in the spotlight

SIGHT

WHAT IS DIABETES? On November 14 the world observes World Diabetes Day.

Photo: ROZ JORDAN

The community received free eyescreening at the World Sight Day eventheld in the Umkhanyakude District.Here Senior General Manager DrSibongile Zungu took the opportunityto have her eyes screened byoptometrist France Nxumalo.

“IF people are sufferingfrom acute pain theyshould get treatment

immediately, otherwise itresults in chronic pain later.”says Wini Hartzenberg whoworks with magnetic healing.Her husband, long time advo-cate Con Hartzenberg, suf-fered from polio as a childwhich resulted in his legsbeing crippled. Although doc-tors gave him a lifeexpectancy of only 40 years,Hartzenberg kept healthy byexercising and a healthy diet.In 2004 he started sufferingfrom badly swollen ankleswhich required daily mas-sages from his wife. Hartzen-berg started looking at treat-ments which could help herhusband.

“I started looking into mag-netic healing, but couldn’tfind anyone who supplied thenecessary equipment. Aftersearching a number of web-sites I found a link to onewhich required a password. Ityped in an unrelated numberand gained access to a websitethat gave me the contactdetails of a supplier. I con-tacted the supplier who wasshocked that I managed to gethold of him.” After explainingwhat happened, Hartzenbergwas told that she had gainedaccess to the Israeli govern-ment’s official informationbank, containing the details ofall Israeli businessmen. “Thisprobably didn’t go down wellwith the government becausea few months later my wholehard drive was deletedbeyond anything my com-puter-genie could salvage.”And that is the unusual storyof how quirky Hartzenbergmanaged to track down amagnetic healing machine.

Spending time withHartzenberg is therapeutic initself due to her good sense ofhumour and her ability to seethe absurdity in life. Formerlyfrom Alberton, Hartzenbergmoved to Pietermaritzburgwhere she studied librarian-ship at the university. This isalso where she met her hus-band.

One of the first things Inoticed in her consulting roomis an exceptionally beautifulquilt, which she uses to coverpatients. She belongs to theMidlands’ Quilters guild andthe quilt was made by a mem-ber who had moved to Eng-land and had asked for sewingmaterial due to a lack offunds. She sent the quilt to theguild to say thank you to themembers, who raffled it toraise further funds. Hartzen-berg won the quilt and saysthat because it was made withso much love, she likes to useit in therapy sessions. Anotherunorthodox part of the treat-ment is Aboo. Aboo is thekhaki-coloured cat who partic-ipates in the therapy by jump-ing onto laps and lying nearbyfor the magnetic part of thehealing.

The legend of the discoveryof magnetism tells the tale ofMagnes the Greek shepherdwho noticed that some rockspulled the nails from hisshoes; he also realised that hecould walk on these rocks formiles without sufferingfatigue.

The Chinese have usedmagnets as an integral part oftheir medical world for yearsand in the 1860’s Dr Mesmerbegan testing the effects ofmagnets to heal headachesand other ailments. But it wasreceived with much scepti-cism from conventional medi-cine practitioners. Magnetichealing is a form of inter-cel-lular healing which works onstrengthening cell walls.When the body is ill, cell wallstend to become more porousand more susceptible to inva-

sion. Magnetic healing is com-pletely safe and non-invasive.By inducing electricalchanges in and around thecells, the oxygen pressureactivates and regenerates thecells. Each cell has its ownelectrical field which is dis-turbed when disease strikes.The cell wall becomes porous,allowing fluid to enter, caus-ing pain and swelling. Intro-ducing a magnetic field helpsthe cell wall tostabilise andregain its health.Tired and dam-aged cells repairand replacethemselves toensure recoveryand an absence ofpain. Studieshave shown that there is anincreased absorption of cal-cium in the bones, leading togreater bone density andimproved cartilage quality.

“The small magnets peopleused were too small to have aneffect and only if you carrieda whole rock around with youwould it work. So they workedout a way to intensify themagnetic effect by placingcoils around the magnets.”The problem with ordinarymagnets is that the field ofenergy is weak and does notpenetrate the body. With theinvention of electricity it wasdiscovered that magnetic fieldstrength could be increasedand cells deep inside the bodycould be influenced.

Blood has iron molecules init and studies showed that cir-culation was enormouslyimproved and that the intakeof oxygen by body cells wentup exponentially. They alsodiscovered that the increase

in bone density healed frac-tures.

After two sessions on themagnetic pads, Hartzenberg’shusband’s swollen ankleswere cured and he has onlyrequired treatment for hisspine every few months.Hartzenberg has many othersuccess stories, saying thatthe treatment is visibly bene-ficial for people sufferingfrom arthritis and rheuma-

tism. Althoughthere is a wholelist of ailmentsranging fromacne to sclerosisthat also benefitfrom magnetichealing. Whatabout mindpower? “Yes, the

power of the mind does play arole. Successful treatment candepend on the expectationsand belief of the patient, trustin the therapist, the care andrespect received from thetherapist and the action aswell as the ritual of the treat-ment.

“When I arranged to buythe machine, the supplier putme in contact with a professorFriedman from the Israeliuniversity, who informed methat he will be teaching meeverything he knows aboutmagnetism and magnetichealing. At first I was quiteintimidated and told him thatI just wanted to buy themachine for my husband’spain, and didn’t want to learnall that! He replied that weserve the same Master andthat I should use this to helpother people. He taught meabout magnetism and the psy-chology of pain.”

“I found out that the

machine was used mainly onsoldiers and athletics as itresulted in rapid healing. TheIsraeli Olympic team swearby it.” Hartzenberg laughs.

I have also completedenergy medicine courses up tolevel six, and incorporatedthis form of healing with mag-netic energy healing.”

“I love my magneticmachine and I love workingwith people and making a dif-ference in their lives.”Hartzenberg also uses themachine on herself and saysthat it is good for burns, cuts,sinus problems, headachesand so the list goes on.

Before the practical part ofthe session, Hartzenberginquires about the health ofthe patient and then sets thefrequency to match the prob-lem. I have suffered fromneck and back pain after arecent car accident. So thatwas what the focus was on. Itis now my turn to experiencethe magic power of magnet-ism. I lie on the bed fullyclothed and am covered withthe quilt. Hartzenberg lights acandle (to remind her who isreally doing the healing, sheexplains) and puts on somesoothing music. While lying onthe bed you cannot feel much,though the magnets are sur-rounded by wire coils whichintensify the magnetic effect.They are also covered with asoft casing to make it as com-fortable as possible. The mag-nets are in three differentmats of different sizes andstrengths, the first mat is likea small camping mattress andthat is of the lowest frequency.The second is like a pillowwhich is stronger and thesmallest can be placed

between the feet to give thearea maximum exposure.

The session begins and I amleft alone ... At first I feelquite tearful, as I tend to do inmost therapeutic sessions, butthen I feel as peaceful andhappy as the dolphins in thepictures on the wall. Sheencourages me to go to a placewhere I am happy and leavesme in peace. I imagine that Iam at a beach in Camps Bayand the only other people onthe beach are my siblings.

It is a beautiful vision,something which I am notinclined to experience, as Itend to bring back pleasantmemories instead of imagin-ing new ones.

The underlying thoughtgoing through my head is —please don’t let this end.Please just leave me here fortwo weeks. The sensation isvery dreamlike, similar tobeing massaged, but far moresubtle. For the rest of the dayI have the energy of a child,my usual bedtime is extendedby three hours as I just don’tfeel tired. Running aroundspending energy alsoimproves my appetite andinstead of snacking, I eatlarge, healthy meals. Thisincrease in energy andappetite must also be the rea-son why her patients havesuch a good recovery rate.The treatment really results ina feeling of vitality — and myback and hip pain is gone.

Hartzenberg divides thehour session into two separatehalf hours.

• You can contact WiniHartzenberg at 033 347 1862or 083 321 3753. Sessions areR150.

— Page 5Advertorial supplement to The Witness Friday, October 4, 2005

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Healing with

MAGNETS

Photo: INEZ HARMSWini Hartzenberg . . . ‘the treatment is visibly very beneficial for people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism’.

INEZWALEStalks toWiniHartzen-bergaboutthehealingpowersofmagneticenergy.

Magnetichealing

activates andregenerates

the cells. ”“

MBALI THUSI

THOUSANDS of primary schoolpupils were visited by a team ofhealth care workers from differ-

ent health programmes within thedepartment as part of the NationalSchool Health Week initiative. Thisinitiative ran from October 10 to 14.

The initiative, held in collaborationwith the Department of Education,was spearheaded by the programmeresponsible for school health.

Staff from the programme co-ordi-nated the visits and activities aroundthis week. No fewer than 131 schoolswere involved during this project ofpromoting healthy lifestyles amonglearners. Taking part in the projectwere staff from different health pro-grammes, namely: nutrition, rehabili-tation and disability, health promotion,mental health, environmental healthand oral health.

Armed with toothbrushes, tooth-paste and eye screening charts, staffbegan to teach the pupils about theimportance of good health.

They also taught the pupils how tofight against diseases and conditionssuch as tooth decay, which could beprevented only if children were taughtand screened at an early age.

Pupils were screened and assessedand those who required further med-ical attention and treatment werereferred to local health institutions.

Co-ordinator of the National SchoolHealth Week in KwaZulu-Natal,Esther Snyman, said the departmentused the week to strengthen the exist-ing school health programme in theprovince.

“In February this year the depart-ment launched a school health policy.National School Health Week initiativewas a considered effort to help usstrengthen, improve and implement aco-ordinated service at school whichincludes all health programmes, thusimproving our existing programme inKwaZulu-Natal,” said Snyman.

She went to say, “The initiativeafforded us an opportunity to criticallylook at what needs to be done andwhat we have and try to co-ordinatethis with the Department of Educationand the Department of Social Welfareand Development, and use the limitedresources we have together.”

The screening will also assist thedepartment in channelling healthissues and priorities accordingly, espe-cially at school level.

“If a lot of pupils had problems withsight, hearing or dental health wewould then know exactly what areasneed more emphasis,” said Snyman.

The pupils were also addressed onsocial issues such as HIV and Aids,substance abuse and child abuse.

It is envisaged that this programmewould be expanded to includesecondary schools.

Page 6 — Advertorial supplement to The WitnessFriday, October 4, 2005

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Staff from the Department of Health visited schools in KwaZulu-Natal to screen and assess pupils in primary schools.Here a nurse speaks to pupils from a school in the Ugu district about the department’s oral health programme.

I WOULD like to extend my heartfeltthanks to Dr Kesene for the excellentway in which he assisted me throughmy labour at the Mahatma GandhiMemorial Hospital.

My baby was quite large and Ifound it very difficult to deliver but Iam grateful for the patience he hadand the comfort he gave me.Although I’d thought I would have hadto have had a Caesarean, I success-

fully delivered my baby normally.Thank you, Dr Kesene. I appreciate

your services and the confidence yougave me.

I’d also like to thank the nurses inthe labour ward for their excellent ser-vices. Thank you for the smiles andthe your care. You have reassured methat the Mahatma Gandhi MemorialHospital is a good one.

M. GOVENDER

LETTERS

If you are healthyand you know it —

WASH YOUR HANDS!LEFT: Anurse fromtheDepartmentof Healthtests pupils’eyesight at aschool in theUgu district.

FAR LEFT:Pupils gettheir teethchecked.

I DON’T know how to express ourgratitude to Dr Chowdhury, chief med-ical officer (opthalmology) at StangerHospital for his co-operation — withthe help of top health management— in connection with obtaining treat-ment for patient S. Z. Mahanjana ona very busy day.

I cannot find the appropriate wordsto say thank you to him and his effi-cient staff (Sister Mavundla and

assistants), for receiving Mahanjanaand myself warmly and exercisingsuch wonderful care and treatment,thus wiping out any pain andfrustration.

Since we are pensioners it was noteasy, financially, to attend your clinicbut the strain was alleviated by yourcontinuous caring and encourage-ment.

M. J. MAHANJANA

HOSPITAL THANKED FOR SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY PENSIONERS GRATEFUL FOR CARE

— Page 7Advertorial supplement to The Witness Friday, October 4, 2005

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INEZ WALES

“ENERGY medicine is a very spe-cialised form of healing. There areonly seven energy medicine practi-tioners in South Africa,” says NaomiGevers, who practises energymedicine and kinesiology in Pieter-maritzburg.

“I grew up in a home where com-plementary therapies were thenorm,” she says, explaining how shebecame involved in energy medicine,“When I had children of my own, itbecame evident to me that anti-biotics were not always the appropri-ate way to deal with illness and somy search for holistic health began.When my children started leavinghome, I decided that it was a goodtime to start a new chapter in my life.

“For three years I studied kinesiol-ogy and in September 2004, I heardabout a Transform Your Life throughEnergy Medicine (TYLEM) course.Having been for successful treat-ments with Brenda McFie, an energymedicine practitioner and instructor, Ididn’t hesitate to enrol.”

“Dr MaryJo Bulbrook is the founderand president of Energy MedicinePartnerships Inc. She developed theprogramme by drawing on her 20-yearcareer as a university professor ofnursing in the U.S., Canada and Aus-tralia, as well as from her expertiseas a specialist in psychiatric mentalhealth nursing and working withrenowned family therapist VirginiaSatir. We believe that all diseaseshave a physical, emotional, mentaland spiritual aspect. An imbalance inany of these dimensions can compro-mise the health of an individual.”

Bulbrook will be in Pietermaritzburgthis month offering courses.

Gevers says that kinesiology hasgiven her an excellent foundation andthat it is a powerful tool to facilitatehealing. Energy medicine has addedanother dimension to her work. “Weknow that every thought we have

affects us in some way or anotherand that everything that happens tous is registered in the energy sys-tem. This awesome modality, energymedicine, is the art and science ofhealing through the energy system. Itintegrates complementary therapieswith traditional health care using anholistic approach to healing. Itassists in stress reduction, painmanagement, addresses illnesses,changes limiting beliefs, heals familyand relationship issues, recoveryfrom trauma, coping with loss,removes past hurts, fears and disap-

pointments,” explains Gevers. Regarding the process of healing,

Gevers says: “There are five parts oroptions in which we work.

“Part one: clearing the self — herewe work to balance the inner self, toallow healing of injuries, self-abusiveactions, mental confusion and assistthose who have no direction in life.We also clear the energy field ofdebris.

“Part two: healing wounds — thisis pretty self-explanatory. Here wedeal with wounds that may be on aphysical, emotional, mental or spiri-tual level.

“Part three: changing limitingbeliefs — beliefs are stored in theenergy field and influence how welead our lives. Beliefs that may beadversely affecting our lives arelearnt about and replaced with onesthat better serve our highestpotential.

“Part four: healing relationships —healthy relationships are essentialfor personal well-being. There is amovement of energy in most relation-ships, particularly in close relation-ships where we form etheric ties toeach other which allow us to sendand receive energy. This can compro-mise the individual’s health by drain-ing him or her of energy or it can feedthe energy system with negativeenergy. Here the healer will free theclient of the ties affecting personalgrowth.

“Part five is divided into two —healing anguish and reshaping familyenergy patterns. Each of these partshas interventions designed to dealwith that particular aspect of life.”

Gevers adds, “To qualify as aenergy medicine practitioner, youhave to complete the course, partsone to five, and a practical to demon-strate compentency. In addition, youhave to submit 50 documented ses-sions that demonstrate expertise inclient care management.”

Gevers explains what a client could

expect when they come for a ses-sion: “It starts by obtaining clientdetails and discussing the issue theyhave come for. It’s often helpful to doa short meditation and a drawing.”

Gevers might ask the client to drawan angel-, crystal- or medicine-card tosupport what insight has been gainedon the issue. Then it is important toset a goal pertaining to the issue.This can be seen as a gift that youwant to give yourself and stated inthe present tense. An example maybe: “I release the past and move for-ward with courage, strength andlove.” All the work that follows is inrelation to that goal. The client willget onto the therapy bed and thepractitioner will do a pre-assessmentof the energy field. This gets docu-mented and represents what is hap-pening in the energy field in relationto the issue that is being worked on.Then follow the interventions. This iswhere the practitioner works in theenergy field, which includes the sevenlevels of the aura, chakras, the haraline and the core star. At times thehealer will be touching the clientlightly and at other times the healerwill be working in the energy field.

“Once this has been done, I do apost-assessment of the energy field,a closing blessing and end the ses-sion by grounding the client beforethey get up.”

Gevers gives her clients self-carehomework, which covers each of theaspects of self — the mental, physi-cal, emotional and spiritual.

“I just love this work and prayevery day that it may be blessed andguided, and that I may work only intruth, with integrity and unconditionallove, and in the light,” Gevers says.• Information on energy medicinecan be obtained from www.ener-gymedicinepartnerships.com• For more information on thecourses, contact David Hazelhurst at033 342 1928 or e-mailecabazini@futurenet.co.za

Using the energy system to dispel disease

LINDA LONGHURST

“EVERYONE should see achiropractor as a matter ofcourse every six months,”

says Dr Mark Kidson, one of only fourchiropractors practising in Pieter-maritzburg.

Kidson describes himself as aneuromusculoskeletal specialist. “Inother words, I am a nerves, musclesand bones doctor,” he explains.

Kidson was persuaded to follow thiscareer by the benefits he experiencedfrom being treated by a chiropractor.His fascination with and knowledge ofthe workings of the human body isimmediately apparent and he admitsthat he is pedantic and ridiculouslythorough.

A chiropractor’s expertise lies withthe nervous system and the biome-chanics of the body made up of thejoints and musculature, and under-standing how the body moves, correct-ing inappropriate and inadequatemovement. The foundation of a chiro-practor’s treatment is that a healthynervous system, in particular the spineand its nerves, is the basis of goodhealth.

“Chiropractic is the most wellresearched of all the medical disci-plines because we are the most chal-lenged,” Kidson remarks adding that itis the third largest healthcare profes-sion. Chiropractic is considered a formof alternative healthcare, although chi-ropractors are primary contact practi-tioners in their own right, closer to amedical doctor than any other health-care provider. The main difference isthat chiropractors carry out treatmentwithout drugs or surgery. “Surgeryshould always be seen as a last resort,although I usually refer patients toother healthcare professionals whennecessary.”

Chiropractors are well-known foradjustment, which is the term for thetype of spinal manipulation that isunique to the profession. “There are32 different effects of adjustmentranging from restoration of neurologi-cal function, improved joint movementand an increased blood supply.” Kid-

son says. One of themost frequent roles achiropractor fulfils is torestore the biomechan-ics or normal movement.Kidson explained that atany given moment 60%of all the informationgoing to the brain comesfrom the joints and mus-culature, telling thebrain where they are inspace, what positionthey are in and howmuch pressure or ten-sion they are under. Thebrain processes thisinformation and makesthe appropriateresponse. Should a prob-lem arise with a joint, this changes thereaction from the brain and the spinalcord and leads to problems that canaffect the entire body, even the inter-nal organs.

Chiropractic is suitable for all ageswith Kidson’s youngest patient beingthree days old and his oldest patient96 years old. He says that chiropracticcare is suitable for a variety of condi-tions in babies, such as colic. Anothercommon childhood ailment is earinfections, usually an infection of themiddle ear due to a blocked Eustaciantube (the tube that connects the mid-dle ear to the nose). Adjusting theupper neck often unblocks the Eusta-cian tube, allowing it to drain and pre-vent re-infection.

Kidson has a special interest in thetreatment of headaches and migrainesand says: “93,8% of headaches andmigraines can be traced to problemsin the neck, which can be effectivelytreated by a chiropractor. The benefitof a chiropractic treatment withheadaches is that you are removing

the cause of the problemand not just masking thesymptoms withpainkillers.” A stagger-ing 60% of children suf-fer from headaches, 30%of these suffer fromchronic headaches. On arelated topic Kidsonsays that he treats a lotof children who sufferfrom Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder(ADHD). “Ninety per-cent of children withADHD are alsoheadache sufferers,” hesays, but points out thatit is not the ADHD thathe is treating, but the

headache. “Once the headache hasgone the ADHD symptoms decreasemarkedly. It’s quite logical — of coursea child that has a constant headachewill lack concentration and be disrup-tive, symptoms of both conditions.”

Another leading causes of absen-teeism from work is lower-back pain.This condition is regularly managedby chiropractors and has been foundto be the most effective and cheapestmeans of managing this debilitatingcondition.

Although chiropractors are bestknown for treating spinal complaints,they are by no means limited to this.The whole of the musculoskeletal sys-tem is within their scope of practiceincluding whiplash, sprains, slippeddisc, pinched nerves, stiff neck, lockedjaw, lower-back pain, sciatica, rotatorcuff injuries in the shoulder, tenniselbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthri-tis, knee injuries and groin strain.Other conditions which can also bene-fit from chiropractic treatment aresinusitius, asthma and irritable bowel

syndrome.When Kidson sees a patient for the

first time he takes a detailed history.“Seemingly insignificant injuries canstart causing problems years later,” hesays. “A correlation between the cur-rent situation and a past injury can goa long way towards administering theappropriate treatment.” He adds thatmost people experience symptoms ofaccumulative injury between the agesof 40 and 60. Kidson will carry out aneurological examination duringwhich he checks the reflexes and mus-cle tone. An orthopaedic examinationwill reveal whether the joints areworking as they should be. Kidson alsomakes extensive use of X-rays andultrasound. Other diagnostic tests suchas blood and urine tests are also car-ried out when necessary.

“I don’t just treat patients but alsotry to get some insight into theirlifestyle and the environment theyinhabit.” Kidson says, adding that anew bed or correcting how or where aperson sits can sometimes be the dif-ference between a life of discomfortand one that is pain-free. “Joints aredynamic structures, made to bemoved, which is important for theirwellbeing. It is important to provideadvice on how some lifestyle andenvironment changes, in conjunctionwith chiropractic treatment, can help.”Kidson also provides patients withexercises and corrects poor trainingtechniques in sportsmen and womenthat could be contributing to theirproblems. He says this type of holistictreatment provides a better outcome.

Being a sufferer of lower back paincaused by a slipped disc and desperatefor some relief, I have surrenderedmyself to his capable hands. If hemanages to help me I will laud his tal-ents all over Pietermaritzburg!

Back to backs

Dr Mark Kidson, one ofonly four chiropractorspractising inPietermaritzburg.

Photo: IAN CARBUTTNaomi Gevers . . . ‘we know thatevery thought we have affects us insome way or other’.

BREAST cancer is a life threaten-ing and relationship-threateningtrauma. When we marry the

man or woman of our dreams, weexpect to be together for a lifetime,despite the unfavourable odds of sixout of 10 marriages ending in divorce.

We truly believe that we will betogether “for richer, for poorer, insickness and in health, until death usdo part”. And then life intrudes:becoming a couple, learning to bal-ance needs, the joy and awesomeresponsibility of parenthood, manag-ing careers and handling money. If amarriage is sound, it can weather anystorm, survive virtually any trauma.

There is no magic formula for sur-viving and growing through thetrauma of facing a diagnosis of breastcancer, the subsequent treatment andits impact on life together thereafter.God, it is said, gives us challenges tobuild character; both husband andwife are presented with a great oppor-tunity to build character, to create alifetime love story.

At 36 I am a survivor of twoepisodes of breast cancer, spaced twoyears apart. However, that does notdefine me. I am also a wife, daughter,sister, friend and career woman. I amalive and well, still sexy, with onereconstructed breast and one normalbreast, and am an inspiration to otherwomen facing this disease. I have dis-covered my worth and treasure everymoment of living.

As this is a particularly traumatictime for husbands, I would like to offerthe following suggestions, based on myown hard-earned experience. Be therefor your wife and help her to discoverthe survivor within.

Tell her you love her. In a marriage, or any intimate rela-

tionship, silence is not golden. Thestrong, silent type need not apply forthe position of husband, lover, bestfriend, confidante and supporter of awoman with breast cancer. Your part-ner needs, and wants, to hear fromyou. It is said that actions speak louderthan words but the spoken word bringscomfort, reassurance and verificationof your inner feelings. She cannot readyour mind and without your verbalisa-tion, all sorts of fears will take root inher mind. Being there for her is morethan physical or economic security.Words have special meaning. Thethree most important words in themoments when, together, you are fac-ing her mortality, are: “I love you.”

We know that the act of laughing isitself healing. It is very easy to takeourselves and our careers much tooseriously. Close friends have experi-enced our occasional over-the-top, out-of-control laughing and true guffaws.Can anything feel better? You cannotlaugh while you’re feeling sorry foryourself. Seeing the humour in any sit-uation brings relief and release.Humour is healing to body, mind andspirit, so make her laugh, tickle her,tease her.

Men talk about being “leg men” or“breast men” with bravado and sopho-moric stupidity, as if large breasts orgreat legs have anything to do withbeing a woman. Your partner, yourlover, your wife needs to know thatyou love who she is, not what type ofbody she has or the size of her breasts.God created a matching set that fittogether nicely.

Your partner needs reassurance inthe face of an assault on her femininityand sense of womanhood. She needs toknow, by what you say and what youdo, that this set of circumstances is notthe end of your sex life but rather anew and exciting, although initiallyfrightening, sex life with heightenedsensitivity and caring.

Go to the multitude of appointmentswith your wife, as much as you can.You are more than ahelpless spectator curs-ing the damned disease.You have joined the bat-tle. You are helpingwrest control from thecancer, along with yourwife, the treatment teamand the support system around you.

There is also a practical side. Hear-ing a diagnosis of cancer overwhelmsthe senses. Doctors try to help you tounderstand, but the daily jargon theyuse might as well be classical Greek.With two of you there, there are twosets of ears to hear what is said. Thereare two mouths to ask questions. Thishelps avoid the tendency to hear whatyou want to hear. Being with her eachtime will reassure her, help her over-come her fears and make you feelgood about yourself. She’ll love you forit.

Your wife or partner won’t break.Treatment can be gruelling and tiring,but you both need to live your life as

fully as possible. Continue to enjoywhat you enjoy individually and as acouple. You need to take your cuesfrom her. She knows what she can do,or how tired she may be feeling. Whenshe’s ready, encourage and supporther. When she’s ready, get out and dothings with her. Your time togethermight be short and you should liveeach moment together fully.

Sex is another area where a manneeds to let his partner lead.She will let you know whatworks now and what doesn’t,what she’s ready for andwhat she’s not. A husbandmight even mourn the loss ofher breast as she did, as wellas the change in some

aspects of love-making that result. Theimportant thing is that life and yourlove-life go on. In the first weeks,months and even years, your sex lifemay take on an added dimension thatis simultaneously painful and exquis-ite. Imagine how it feels to make loveto someone you feel you might lose.You don’t want to hurt her. You cangive her bear hugs both during andoutside your lovemaking.

You need to understand that yourpartner is also the answer to yourcaricature male mid-life crisis. Theanswer is not a young bimbo or col-league with whom to start your nextmarriage or your next family. It is nota sports car or a new set of golf clubs.

It is your wife. Rather than have anoutside relationship, whether sexualor emotional, as a result of that midlifecrisis, how about a fling with yourwife? Take her away for a weekend ata romantic bed and breakfast, go for aleisurely walk, a good movie, a show atthe theatre and an after-show dessert.Fall in love. Stay in love. Be in love.

Can you imagine yourself in theshoes or the mind of a person withcancer? Can you understand what inti-macy is like, sexual and otherwise,when all your senses are stretched andheightened by the knowledge you’remaking love to a woman you couldlose? You find joy to the point of pain.You discover a profound sense ofbeing one with each other and yetthere is awareness that it could befleeting. Reality may break in andshatter the moment but you persevere.A good marriage or solid relationshipwill not only get through the trauma ofbreast cancer, the marriage will bestrengthened and be the better for it.

Your partner is not damaged goods,with or without breast reconstruction.She remains the woman you fell inlove with. Get beyond the innerthoughts never expressed, wonderingwhether your lovemaking was alteredforever. You, too, may miss her breast,as it has brought you both pleasure inthe past. Now is the time to live yourlife to its fullest together. You’ll bothsurvive and thrive if you stay together.

Page 8 — Advertorial supplement to The WitnessFriday, October 4, 2005

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KAVITH HARRILAL

IN a show of solidarity and support forpeople living with HIV or Aids, as wellas those affected by the pandemic,government will drive various eventsand initiatives over the next fewweeks.

The spotlight will shift to KwaZulu-Natal, as the province will host thisyear’s National World Aids Day event.

In one such activity, hospital admin-

istrators, doctors, nurses and otherhealth care workers will form a humanchain later this month. The event willtake place on November 25 in all nineprovinces and will be co-ordinated bythe various hospitals’ public relationsofficers. The grounds and lawns of thehospitals and clinics are expected tobe transformed into colourful arenasduring the event.

However, this initiative is not theonly activity planned during the build-

up to World Aids Day on December 1. Members of the public from around

the country have been urged to partic-ipate in a pledge-a-thon in the run-upto World Aids Day.

While monetary donations will beaccepted as a pledge, the idea of thepledge-a-thon is to encourage everymember of the public to make a com-mitment toward contributing meaning-fully towards the fight against HIVand Aids.

The pledge can be a personal com-mitment related to one’s own sexualhealth, or even a commitment to help-ing others living with the disease, inkeeping with this year’s theme of “ANation Caring for Life”.

The national Health Departmentwill supply postcards on which thepledge can be written and posted intoa box made available at hospitals andclinics. The pledges will be counted atthe World Aids Day event.

‘I WILL SURVIVE’Cancer survivor LYNN MOORE gives advice to men whose wives orgirlfriends need their support during their battle against cancer.

Show your solidarity for those living with HIV/Aids

You aremore than

a helplessspectator. ”“

Lynn Moore . . . asurvivor of twoepisodes ofbreast cancer.

IF you have any inquiry, comment orsuggestion about Unwele Olude,please do not hesitate to contact usat Communications Directorate,

Private Bag X9501, Pietermaritz-burg, 3201; fax 033 342 0429; ore-mail us atxabap@dohho.kzntl.gov.za

24-HOURS OPERATIONS CENTRE:0800 005 133 AMBULANCE: 10177 AIDS TOLL-FREE HOTLINE:

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