TASK-NEWSLETTERSeptember 2017

Also in the news
IN THIS ISSUE
TASK
UPDATE
Stand Against TB Soccer
October 2017
Tournament
Doctors are always
learning
A fresh look at
what we do…
Dedicated to serve the
Mfuleni CAB and local organisations launch
the Mfuleni Health Environment Forum.
Brooklyn Chest Team surprised Dr Lize and
Duralon Mackrielwith a baby shower.
community… a CAB story
Teambuilding 2017
Stand Against TB Stigma Soccer Tournament
recently kicked off in Delft
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Soccer Tournament
Stand against TB
Team Building 2017
The Stand Against TB Soccer Tournament
took place on the 2 nd of September at
Voorburg Sports field in Delft.
8 Teams of boys and girls went head to
head to win the trophy and soccer kits for
their teams. Usually tournaments like these
have clear favourites, but this year the
This is an annual event that the CAB and
TASK bring to the Delft community and
since its inception has been well received
by the community. A lot of community
members now know more about TB and
research because of the TB awareness
education presented at the event.
“Involving the communities and educating
them at the same time is great start to
building a TB free generation and that is
our ultimate goal,” says Vela Mhlola,
TASK’s very own Community
Engagement Officer.
IT, DATA and Finance recently held their
annual team building at RUSH indoor
trampoline and entertainment park
Many jumped to new heights, many balls
were thrown and great team memories
were made .
competition was tough.
The tournament was initiated and in part
The event had a lot of peripheral activities
IT, Data & Finance Team
organised by the Community Advisory
other than soccer matches. A traditional
Board (CAB) of Delft and Mfuleni, and
dance group entertained the crowd and
TASK.
Carmelita from TASK facilitated fun
Kloppers Sports where kind enough to
games for the kids who were in attendance.
donate a soccer kit for a ladies soccer team.
The Recruitment Team visited the V&A
Waterfront this month. For many it was their
first time. They even took a boat cruise and rode
on the Ferris wheel
Team Recruitment
The Marketing, Communications & Community
Engagement Team spent the morning getting know
one another better at the very pleasant Rondekuil
Estate.
Team MC&CE
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TASK Team at TB Training
by Dr. Nikita White
Continues…
With A5300* coming up,
Dr Caryn Upton, nurse
Zanele Masa and myself,
were fortunate to be able to
receive training from
amazing professors who
have changed the playing
field when it comes to
paediatric TB.
We were hosted at Goudini Spa in
Rawsonville, where during the day,
we sat listening to lectures, meeting
representatives from other countries
and learning from each other’s
experiences. There were
representatives from Kenya,
Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique,
Malawi, Peru, Spain, Belgium,
Thailand and of course, South
Africa.
This lent itself to the opportunity to
learn what limitations each country
had and how they had overcome
these to the best of their ability. What
was common for some, was very
uncommon for others. Although we
have our challenges, they are far less
daunting than countries that lack
basic resources, and we should
continue to be grateful for what we
have and assist those who are in
need. (continued overleaf)
Hands on training with the best
“ I am still star-struck by the professors who lectured
us, most of which were my consultants during
medical school, namely Prof Simon Schaaf, Prof
Gie, Dr Rabie and Prof van Toorn, of Stellenbosch
University. Yet, the common teachings remain the
same- get a good history from your patient and their
family, do a thorough examination, and confirm with
appropriate tests. And when in doubt, ask for help.”
We were also lectured by incredible international
professors (Prof Anneke Hesseling from Desmond
Tutu TB Centre and Prof Kelly Dooley of Harvard
University), who we work with on a regular basis and
it was really nice to put a face to the name and engage
with them about their fields.
Whether we knew something about childhood TB or
not, I think we all learnt something that will help
someone in the future.
Thank you to TASK Applied Science for giving us this
opportunity!
The scenery at Goudini Spa.
*A worldwide study where MDR-TB household
contacts will receive prophylaxis with either
Delamanid or Isoniazid
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In the Community
Meet Maureen
Maureen Philander is a mother, sister
and community helper to the society
in which she resides.
Maureen has dedicated her life to
serving the community of
Blikkiesdorp in Delft, through CAB
and other community based activities
such as neighborhood watches and
women’s rights committees.
The surprise entertainment of
the day was the TASK staff
team putting on their boots and
playing against a very
determined “TB” team.
Because of her life experience,
Maureen took it upon herself not only
to be part of the community but help
them in anyway she can.
She then joined the Delft CAB and
this has helped her to interact more
with the community.
IMAGE GOES HERE
The winning TASK Staff Team
A recent good news story she shared
with us was of a patient who was very
sick with TB, who was always locked
up in the house and did not want to
take her medication. Maureen,
together with the CAB team, visited
the patient frequently, and encouraged
her to take her medication. Because of
Maureen's encouragement, the
individual is now healthy and
committed to getting better.
Carmelita and team
engaging and playing
educational games with
the children.
"We meet a lot of people like that in
the community and it is because of
the stigma associated with TB. All that
people need is some motivation and a
love gesture to show that someone
cares and they will get back up again.”
Children from Delft having fun!
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