New organisation to take over Delft health worker services
Changover after crime rate prompts Afrika Tikkun to leave
Non-profit organisation Touching Nations, has signed an agreement with the Western Cape Department of Health to take over community health worker services in Delft.
Afrika Tikkun, who had been running the programme for several years, withdrew from the area in March as a result of an increase in criminal activity in Delft. Afrika Tikkun noted several complaints about break-ins at its centre in Delft and workers being held-up at gunpoint, and of the rape of caseworkers.
About 120 community healthcare workers who worked for Afrika Tikkun have been retained by Touching Nations. The workers look after more than 5,650 patients.
Sithembiso Magubane, spokesman for the Department, said an agreement had been signed with Touching Nations for 2016-2017. He said all the care workers had been retained.
Touching Nations is a Christian-based organisation established in 2005. According to the website, the organisation runs training and outreach programmes in poor communities, with a special focus on HIV/ AIDS awareness programmes.
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