Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will on Saturday lead a healthy lifestyle awareness activation as part of efforts to promote healthy lifestyles.
The activation, which will take place in Stinkwater located outside Soshanguve in Tshwane, aims to promote well-being and healthy lifestyles amongst community members.
“The event forms part of the Department of Health’s programme to encourage South Africans to participate in activities that promote healthy lifestyles, which include screening and testing for health challenges such as HIV/Aids, TB, diabetes and hypertension, among others.
“This is linked to the National Health Screening and Testing Campaign announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address earlier this year,” said the department.
This event is organised in partnership with the Stinkwater community, who transformed a dump site into a health park named the Dr Aaron Motsoaledi Park to recognise the Minister's efforts in leading the charge against risky and unhealthy behaviour and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Saturday’s activation will get underway at 08:30 at Namo Primary School.
City of Cape Town Listeriosis product recall
Meanwhile the City of Cape Town, is continuing in its effort to aid in the Listeriosis product recall.
Since the announcement by the National Health Department in March 2018 that a number of products, including polony and viennas would be recalled, the city’s environmental health practitioners were called on to visit smaller outlets to establish if traders are aware of the recall and to record volumes of product being kept on site.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention describes Listeriosis as a serious but treatable and preventable disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium is found in soil, water and vegetation. Animal products and fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables can be contaminated from these sources.
The city’s environmental health practitioners have visited 3 644 formal and informal businesses since the nationwide product recall. The campaign has also included outreach programmes at hundreds of schools, Early Childhood Development centres and other community facilities.
The city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security and Social Services, JP Smith, said the number of Listeriosis cases has slowed.
“But we still see regular reports of persons who have contracted Listeriosis. We can therefore not afford to drop our guard. Our staff members will continue their monitoring and awareness activities. The public is advised to contact their nearest City Health Clinic or Environmental Health Office if they have any questions or concerns about Listeriosis in particular or food safety in general,” said Smith.
Ninety-eight cases of Listeriosis have been reported in Cape Town, with 21 deaths.
“The numbers are of concern. The city is doing all it can to ensure ongoing education and awareness, but we also urge the public to familiarise themselves with key food safety guidelines and to implement these guidelines to reduce their risk of infection,” Smith said.
The city offered five key food safety tips which are:
- Wash your hands thoroughly
- Separate raw and cooked food
- Cook food thoroughly
- Store food at safe temperatures
- Use clean water and fresh food
Earlier this week, the National Department of Health announced the formation of a multisectoral incident management team (IMT) as part of efforts to prevent future Listeriosis outbreaks. - SAnews.gov.za
