19 May 2008 – Health

On our Health slot this week, we had an interview with Dr Neil Cameron – Head of the Department of Community Health, at the University of Stellenbosch about Influenza. Yes this is the season for flu so you need all the information you can about it but I guess the most important message we are trying to spread is that each and everyone needs to be vaccinated. The influenza virus is very contagious and easily spread from infected persons to others around them. It is different from the common cold, it begins suddenly and symptoms are much more severe. Get vaccinated at your nearest health facility against influenza especially if you are at high risk because of underlying medical conditions. For more information contact your nearest pharmacy, clinic, or hospital. That interview is brought to you by the National Department of Health and Funded by the European Union.

We were then joined by Professor Theresa Lorenzo the Western Cape Chairperson of the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa - together we looked at what Occupational therapy is, as part of Occupational Therapy Awareness Week which was celebrated last week. The goal of occupational therapy is to assist the client to achieve a maximum level of function and independence in all spheres of life, namely work, social functioning, personal care and leisure activities. Occupational therapy looks at the client holistically addressing his physical, psychological and functional needs. Conditions that can be treated by Occupational Therapists include: Burns Amputations of limbs, Spinal cord injuries. Any injuries to the hand, Neurological conditions: Stroke, Head injuries, Parkinson’s disease, Psychiatric conditions etc. For more on Occupational Therapy you can contact the Occupational Therapy Dept at the University of the Western Cape (021) 959 3151 or the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa at (011) 482 1000 alternatively you can visit www.otasa.org.za

Pic: www.shawnee.edu

We closed off the show with Dr SK Gautam – A registered Medical Acupuncture Practitioner who explained to us the health benefits of acupuncture, how it works and conditions that can be treated using acupuncture. If you would like more information or you would like help, contact him on (021) 591 9269 that is his surgery in Goodwood or try the Kraaifontein Surgery on (021) 988 9133 alternatively contact him via email to gautumsk@worldonline.co.za
Pic: www.acufinder.com