The Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (DHRS) continues to promote social responsiveness through meaningful community engagement initiatives that support the health and wellbeing of underserved communities.

On 18 April 2026, staff, students, and alumni representatives from the DHRS Divisions of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Cape Town volunteered their services at the Western Cape’s first Paediatric Outreach Clinic in Hanover Park. The initiative was coordinated by the Islamic Medical Association and brought together healthcare professionals from various disciplines in a collaborative effort to improve access to paediatric healthcare services.

The outreach clinic created opportunities for staff and students to network with healthcare professionals, exchange knowledge and skills, and facilitate referrals that strengthened service provision within the community. Through this collaborative approach, participants gained valuable insight into the healthcare needs of children and families in underserved areas.

A total of 409 children between the ages of 5 and 13 years were screened during the outreach programme and benefitted from the free healthcare services provided.

Fahmida Harris, a longstanding member of the Islamic Medical Association, highlighted the importance of student participation in community initiatives, stating: “Involving students in community outreach projects not only enhances their training but creates an awareness of the need to be socially responsive towards the needs of the communities they serve.”

Fatemah Camroodien-Surve added: “Students were able to experience working in the community outside of formal clinical settings while still being supervised by Clinical Educators and qualified therapists.”

The outreach initiative was warmly received by the community, with many expressing gratitude for the accessible services provided and the compassion demonstrated by both students and staff throughout the day.