Sibusiso in collaboration with the Mahlungulu Foundation in March of 2006 hired an experienced professional nurse to serve the needs of Numlaco Village.  Presently, a nurse practitioner practices from both traditional and medical models to serve the needs of the Numlaco Village.  Prior to 2006, there were no paid health care providers in this community.  The vast majority of people had no access to health care.  Like all rural areas of South Africa's Eastern Cape, living conditions are very poor.  93% of the community have no access to sanitation and clean water.  This area is hard hit by HIV/AIDS, with prevalence rates nearing 40%.   Additional common health problems include: Pulmonary Tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic infections; malnutrition; pneumonia; diarrheal diseases; problems related to prenancy and delivery; hypertension; epilepsy; skin infections and accidents.

 The Rural Village Nurse provides medical services at the Mahlungulu Foundation's Treatment Room, working closely with 10 Home Health Care Providers who are integral to the success of the Rural Village Nurse Program.  Each month approximately 500 patients (half under the age of 22) are seen for clinical visits, and 150 are tested for HIV.  The Rural Village nurse has seen 125-150 patients on any given clinic day.  In addition to managing a high volume of patients, the nurse trains and supervises the team of Home Based Caregivers.  This team treats minor ailments, delivers medication and provides counseling in patient home. 

Duties of the Rural Village Nurse include:

1. Perform a complete patient assessment and diagnosis.
2. Care for patients with HIV/AIDS including those on anti-retroviral therapy.
3. Monitor patients being treated for Tuberculosis.
4. Provide treatment for all conditions within the scope of practice including opoortunistic infections.   
5. Refer cases to the relevant persons for further assistance and ensure continuity of care.
6. Provide support and education to all patients.
7. Provide palliative care for patients at terminal stage, including pain control and emotional support to patients and their families.
8. Provide crisis management in cases of rape, family violence and provide prophylactic care.
9. Provide care and support to orphans and vulnerable children.
10. Provide in-service education to the home based care workers.

Gardens from Lynne Project

 

Gardens from Lynne is a celebration of Lynne Gray Kelleter’s life.  Lynne was a kind and generous woman who was an avid gardener and was a strong advocate for those less fortunate. Proceeds from Gardens from Lynne go toward maintaining a vegetable garden that will feeds & sustain the Numlaco community’s most ill and most impoverished.  Many families in this community receive fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers in memory of Lynne.

Participants and supporters of the Gardens from Lynne Project will:

1. Oversee the care of and success of the community garden
2. Educate community members how to properly plant and tend the garden
3. Provide skills-training to those in the community who would like to learn more about cultivation and ultimately create their own gardens