World Cancer Day is commemorated worldwide on 4 February. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second most prevalent cause of death, but thanks to improved treatment and early detection, survival rates of cancer are now much higher than a decade ago.
According to the World Health Organisation, any sign of a possible tumour such as inexplicable fatigue, a lump under the skin, sores that won’t heal, or changes to existing moles, changes in bowel or bladder habits and persistent pain, warrant a visit to your doctor or clinic.
With this focus on health, patients of government clinics should remember that they can collect their chronic medication from a convenient Post Office instead of a government clinic.
The service is aimed at patients who live or work closer to a post office than a Government clinic. The main benefit of the service is longer service hours. Post Offices are open until 17:00 on weekdays and Saturdays until 12:30.
Waiting times at Post Offices have been short since the collection point for SRD grants was moved to supermarket – another benefit for patients. Most Post Offices have seating available for customers who are unwell or elderly.
The collection service is available at 342 post offices in all provinces except the Western Cape. These post offices were selected because they comply with the requirements of the Department of Health. Medication that requires specialised storage, such as cold storage, cannot be collected from a Post Office.
Patients of government clinics who would like to collect their medication from their local post office, should arrange it with their clinic. The Department of Health sends the patient an SMS when the medication is ready for collection and patients have 14 days to collect it before the medication is returned to the Department of Health.
About the South African Post Office
The South African Post Office is a government-owned enterprise that is responsible for postal services in the Republic of South Africa. Established in 1837, the South African Post Office is one of the oldest institutions in the country and has been an integral part of its citizens’ lives ever since.
The South African Post Office offers a range of services including mail delivery, financial services, banking, insurance and parcel delivery.
They also provide customers with access to international mailing services. With over 1,700 branches nationwide and more than 7,000 employees across all provinces, it is the largest postal service provider in the country and provides an essential service to millions of people everyday.
South Africans can depend on their post office for reliable delivery regardless of location or time constraints – from letters to parcels to money orders – they are committed to providing continuous quality service that meets all customer needs.
About World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is an annual international event held every February 4th to raise awareness about cancer and mark the beginning of a year-long campaign to encourage collaborative action across the globe.
Since its inception in 2000, World Cancer Day has been steadily gaining traction worldwide as a collective effort to fight against one of the world’s most serious health concerns.
In 2023, World Cancer Day will focus on how individuals, organizations and communities are joining forces to reduce the global burden of cancer.
The campaign is expected to highlight progress made towards reducing deaths from cancer while emphasizing the importance of early detection and research initiatives that seek new treatments or cures for various forms of cancer.
Participants around the world can join in by signing up for local events such as fundraising activities, educational workshops or public health campaigns related to issues like smoking prevention or sun protection.
Sources: THX News, & South African Post Office.
