Ghairunisa Johnstone, founder and director of Mustadafin Foundation, says most of the patients do not have the financial or emotional support to deal or cope with their ailments alone, which their workers have provided on a daily basis for the past 24 years.
The streets of these areas are notorious for violence, making it a daunting task for the healthcare workers to assist the bedridden and weak. Health problems these carers tend to range from bedsores, amnesia, diabetes, psoriasis, infections, and gunshot wounds to name a few. Johnstone also mentions that there is an escalation of asthma in these areas due to asbestos being used in buildings.
The foundation initially focused on the prevention of HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis as well as feeding undernourished and malnourished children. Their assistance in Tafelsig and Delft has changed since 2008 when other ailments became priority, in particular cancer patients.
"Patients in Delft suffer from diabetes, hypertension, kidney infections, arthritis and even anxiety disorders. Without finances, these people rely on clinics and public hospitals to tend to their ailments. Our home-based carers help them at their homes and they have become dependent on these services," adds Johnstone.
In Tafelsig the situation is not better. One man was hijacked 20 years ago and shot in the face, causing lead poisoning. He now suffers from severe psoriasis from head to toe, leaving him dependent on ointments and weekly injections. Due to his condition, he cannot work and lives off a grant.
Living in an area that is high in violence and other social problems makes the situation even worse. Many people feel that they don't have relief or any distraction from what they are going through.
"Families in these areas often struggle with relatives who have health issues," says Johnstone. "One gentleman, born deaf and dumb, only has his sister and her children for support. The sister became so stressed having to care for her brother and children that she became addicted to pain-killers and ended up in rehab. She later relapsed."
The people who Mustadafin Foundation's healthcare workers tend to are very grateful for their care and support. They refer to each other as friends. One gentleman said that he does not know where he would be if it weren't for the care provided to him by the healthcare workers. "The results have been good. Many of our stroke clients move on after receiving physiotherapy," explains Johnstone.
Mustadafin Foundation appeal to residents in Cape Town to provide assistance in these areas where they can. They require medical volunteers, food and clothing hampers and financial sponsors.
