Northern Cape Health MEC launches Close the Gap campaign

THE MEC for Health in the Northern Cape, Maruping Lekwene, officially launched the 1.1 million Close the Gap campaign in the ZF Mgcawu District on June 6. 

The campaign marks a significant milestone in improving health-care access and promoting healthier lifestyles in the province.

The Close the Gap campaign aims to reconnect 16,872 people living with HIV to life-saving antiretroviral treatment (ART) by December 2025. By bringing health-care services directly into communities, the campaign strengthens disease prevention efforts and encourages healthier lifestyles.

The Collect-and-Go Smart Lockers were made possible through funding from Anglo American in collaboration with Right to Care South Africa. The partnership highlights the commitment of various stakeholders to improving health-care outcomes in the province.

This innovation provides patients with an easier and faster method to collect chronic medication without enduring long clinic queues. 

Key services offered on site include:

• HIV testing and counselling
• TB screening
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Glucose testing
• Immunisations
• Reproductive health services
• Mother, Child, Adolescent and Youth Health Programmes