Learn. Understand. Take action.
Health & Wellness Library
Simple, practical health education designed to help visitors understand important topics and know when to speak to a pharmacist, nurse or other healthcare professional.
Chronic health
Understanding high blood pressure
High blood pressure can have no obvious symptoms, which is why regular screening matters. Knowing your blood pressure and following your healthcare professional’s plan can help reduce the risk of serious complications.
Read the essentials
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you have been told it is high.
- Take prescribed treatment as directed and discuss concerns with your healthcare professional rather than stopping treatment on your own.
- Healthy eating, regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and managing stress can support long-term heart health.
- Ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional about monitoring, follow-up and when referral may be needed.
General education informed by South African National Department of Health hypertension guidance.
Diabetes care
Living well with Type 2 diabetes
Managing diabetes is a long-term process. Regular monitoring, healthy lifestyle habits, treatment adherence and routine healthcare reviews all play an important part in protecting health and reducing complications.
Read the essentials
- Keep scheduled check-ups and routine tests recommended by your healthcare professional.
- Follow your prescribed treatment plan and ask questions if you are unsure about any part of it.
- Build sustainable habits around nutritious food, physical activity, sleep and stress management.
- Tell your healthcare team about changes in symptoms, difficulties with treatment or challenges getting medicines.
General education informed by South African National Department of Health chronic-care guidance.
Immunisation
Why staying up to date with vaccines matters
Immunisation helps protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Children’s vaccines are scheduled at specific ages because protection needs to be built and maintained at the right stages of development.
Read the essentials
- Keep your child’s Road to Health Booklet or vaccination record up to date.
- Ask a healthcare professional if a dose has been missed or you are unsure what is due next.
- Vaccination schedules can change, so rely on current guidance from qualified healthcare professionals and the Department of Health.
- For adults, ask about vaccines that may be appropriate for age, occupation, travel or medical circumstances.
General education informed by the South African National Department of Health Expanded Programme on Immunisation resources.
Chronic medicine
CCMDD: making chronic medicine collection easier
South Africa’s Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme is designed to improve access to repeat chronic medicines for eligible stable patients and reduce unnecessary waiting at health facilities.
Read the essentials
- CCMDD is intended for patients who meet the programme’s eligibility and clinical requirements.
- Eligible patients may collect repeat chronic medicine from an approved pick-up point closer to home or work.
- Enrollment and collection arrangements are managed through the relevant healthcare system and service provider.
- Ask your clinic, pharmacist or healthcare professional whether CCMDD is available and appropriate for you.
General education informed by the South African National Department of Health CCMDD resources.
