According to the World Health Organisation, health promotion is a process of empowering people to increase control of and improve their lives by enhancing their physical, mental and social well-being and subsequent behavioural change.
According to the World Health Organisation, health promotion is a process of empowering people to increase control of and improve their lives by enhancing their physical, mental and social well-being and subsequent behavioural change.
A health-promoting school is a school where members of the school community work together, supported by other key stakeholders, to create a situation that promotes and protects the physical, mental and social well-being of pupils at the school and the associated community.
The health-promoting schools programme in Makana local services areas was established and is managed by a multidisciplinary team that involves the Rhodes Education Environmental and Sustainability Unit, local government departments, schools and various NGOs. Some of the achievements to date include:
• Rhodes Education Environmental and Sustainability Unit supported schools with support material and mentorship on health issues.
• Health-promoting schools have a child-to-child education approach, for example, pupils assist other pupils with problems.
• 32 health-promoting schools joined the programme, with the efforts of all stakeholders, including the Umthathi training project, which provided gardening resources and skills.
• Health-promoting schools were supported by the late Minister of Health, Manto Tshabalala Msimang, by appointing the NGO, Food Gardens Foundation to teach Grahamstown pupils about food gardening.
• Comprehensive health education programmes conducted at health-promoting schools.
• Partnership with the paint companies renovation programmes for CM Vellem, George Dickerson and Archie Mbolekwa schools.
•An support programme for three schools, aimed at piloting health-promotion activities.
As a result of these achievements, the Makana Sub-District office was acknowledged with an award from the National Department of Health in 2007. On 5 August 2011, the Makana Sub-District Office organised a campaign to promote breastfeeding by conducting a number of health talks at the Seventh Day Adventist, Archie Mbolekwa and Fikizolo schools. Health promotion involves forming partnerships and devising strategies to initiate activities that aid and promote the management of conditions such as hypertension, or high blood pressure, and diabetes.
* Mrs Vuyelwa Mtimkulu is the Manager, Health Promotion, District Health Office.
