In honour of the late struggle icon, Mme Charlotte Makgomo Mannya Maxeke, hundreds of patriots joined the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute (CMMI) and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) on Saturday (19 October) for the 3Annual Walk With Maxeke, to raise awareness on breast cancer at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Tshwane.
The 5km walk commemorated the passing of Mme Charlotte Maxeke which was on the 16 October 1939 and aimed at amplifying her valuable teachings, such as one of her famous sayings that “This work is not for yourselves, kill the spirit of self. Do not live above your people but live with them, if you can rise bring someone with you.”
Participants in the walk received health education on the causes of breast cancer, the importance of regularly screening as early detection is a critical component in the fight against the diseases, and the treatment options available across public healthcare facilities. They also had onsite access to a basket of health services including comprehensive health screening, high blood and diabetes testing, mammogram and HIV testing amongst others.
The initiative annually brings together people from all corners of South Africa to walk in remembrance of Maxeke who was the first black woman to graduate with a BSc degree in Southern Africa from Wilberforce University.
To further promote education, every year in April, CMJAH joins hands with CMMI to celebrate the birthday of Charlotte Maxeke through different initiatives, such as book reading and educational donations for paediatric patients.
In preserving the legacy of Charlotte Maxeke, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) continues to elevate the name of Charlotte Maxeke through innovative initiatives to improve access to health in communities. As a result, two innovative projects, to respond to high medicolegal cost and reducing Patient Safety Incidents, from CMJAH have been shortlisted for the 2024 Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) awards.
The GDoH continues to ensure improved healthcare services including the increased number of outpatients seen every day at the CMJAH, the increased number of beds for in-patients and the improved infrastructure and radiology renewal project. In tribute to her remarkable contributions to the healthcare sector, the then Johannesburg General Hospital was renamed the CMJAH in March 2009 signifying the commitment to honour her memory and the values she stood for.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
