Cape Town - As the nation commemorates Women's Month, Dr Colette Adams-Julius has gone above and beyond to donate sanitary towels and help women with gynaecological exams.
She along with her colleagues are running a #Pads4Paps Campaign aimed at raising enough packets to support over nearly 300 girls at the Ratang Bana Place of Safety by the end of the month.
As part of the campaign she is also exchanging gynaecological services for a donation of R120 and pads. The campaign which started in 2019 has gained huge support and thus far attracted 100 women who have already undergone or confirmed bookings.
"We’ve come to realise that the campaign is very popular amongst our patients, and our desire to help must have a more sustainable approach. Ratang Bana in Alexandra was an obvious choice (as) they supply not only the basic needs of those on the fringes of society but have also created a safe space,” said Adams-Julius.
Adams-Julius said, “the idea of exchanging my consulting services for pad donations came about simply with the idea of women helping women.
“As a medical practitioner the #Pads4Paps campaign has two major advantages in that not only does it create an opportunity for women to help other women via pad donations, but it also raises awareness and creates an affordable means for women to focus on their reproductive health.
“ My appeal to all female patients is that they take the time, be it once a year or once every two to three years, to do preventative health risk assessments such as pap smears, breast exams and mammograms (vital for) the early detection and management of cervical cancer and other feminine health issues such as bacterial or fungal infections, human papilloma virus and sexually transmitted diseases.”
Thami Hlongwane, a supervisor at Ratang Bana, said the campaign would help cut down on their monthly expenses. She said they depend on donations to provide and continue rendering their social services to the children.
Auriela Jonkers is among the patients who donated.
“I am proud I could be part of such a meaningful initiative which isn’t just about giving but also raising an awareness about the health issues that are often ignored until at a later stage. I hope every woman out there will take advantage of this opportunity,” she said.
Hamadi Clinical Laboratories sponsors the campaign and business development manager, Shafiek Keown said it was a good cause as it made a difference to not just the girls but also spread the word about the importance and the accessibility of health services at a low cost.
Weekend Argus