Fr. Eduardo Gabriel and Graça Correia attended the last conference of CATHCA (Catholic Health Care Association), with the topic – “Grassroots approach for the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD)”. The event was held on 16 November, at The Lumko Retreat and Conference Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr Itumeleng Setihare, Acting Director NCDs of the National Department of Health, a guest speaker, said that South Africa is known for having the Big 5 (Lions, Leopards, Rhinoceros, Elephants and Buffalo), South Africa is also known for having the Big 5 diseases, namely, Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Mental Health, Pulmonary disease.
From that event, STCC (St Charles Clinic Centre) is in line with a very important expression said by Dr Vicki – “In South Africa healthcare happens at community level.” STCC is a contribution with the community level, with the possibility of patient referrals for further treatment when it is needed.
Women’s health, as a priority of STCC, becomes so relevant as it was mention in the conference. According to the data of 2018, the women were the majority of the three among four cardiovascular disease death – Hypertensive diseases, other forms of heart disease, Cerebrovascular diseases.
STCC supports the statement of the conference – “NCD, leave no one behind.”