The City of Johannesburg, through the Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) unit in partnership with the departments of Health and Social Development, Economic Development, Gift of the Givers, Coca-Cola, and Azania 27 NPO, successfully hosted a Disability Awareness and Health Outreach programme at the Ennerdale Ext 1 Community Hall on 9 December 2025.
This formed part of the City’s ongoing commitment to strengthening accessibility and healthcare support for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Free screening services were provided on-site, including HIV testing, TB screening and testing (where applicable), Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer, diabetes and blood pressure checks.
Health staff also offered breast cancer education and self-examination guidance, with referrals provided to appropriate facilities where further assessment or treatment is required. Attendees were also informed that PWDs receive priority care at public clinics and are not required to provide referral letters for primary healthcare services.
Complaint and feedback mechanisms were highlighted, with the community encouraged to raise service concerns through clinic complaint boxes, clinic management and the clinic committee.
Regional Director Mickey Padayachee expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts, noting the importance of ongoing engagement with communities: “We want to close the gaps between the City and PWDs. Today’s interaction showed us the need to work more closely with the community and to expand support through a regional Open Day offering free basic services. We want to partner rather than make promises and ensure that engagement continues into 2026 in a structured and impactful way.”
Zukiswa Dubeni, the Programmes Manager for Region G Health, outlined the health programme’s scope, highlighted the importance of health information systems for reporting, planning and target setting.
“Today we honoured PWDs and brought services directly to them. In the past, many stayed home due to stigma, accessibility challenges, but they deserve equal access to healthcare. We want them to know they do not queue, they register and are attended to. Another disability-focused programme is scheduled for the next quarter.”
CEO of Azania 27 Thando Zonke emphasised the NPO’s work in supporting over 800 beneficiaries across 14 clinics in Region G. “For too long, people with disabilities have been neglected. We want to change that by working on the ground, improving accessibility, support and quality of life.”
Gift of the Givers distributed 99 food parcels to residents.
City of Johannesburg
