The medical wing of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Durban, South Africa, conducted free medical outreach programmes across two consecutive days — 15 and 16 August 2026 — in Ermelo and Newcastle respectively. The two-day schedule was necessitated by travel logistics, as Ermelo lies approximately 500 km from Durban and Newcastle approximately 350 km, making simultaneous coverage of both locations impractical.
A combined total of 685 patients received free medical care and allied health services across the two outreach camps.
1. Ermelo Outreach — 15 August 2026
The outreach held in Ermelo marked the first time that the Centre’s medical services were extended to that locality, providing free healthcare to residents in need. A total of 300 patients were attended to across the disciplines of medicine, paediatrics, allied health, and optometry. Free medication and spectacles were also dispensed to patients as required.
| Discipline | Services Provided |
|---|---|
| Medicine | General medical consultations |
| Paediatrics | Child health services |
| Allied Health | Supportive health and therapeutic care |
| Optometry | Eye examinations and free spectacles |
2. Newcastle Outreach — 16 August 2026
The outreach held in Newcastle — an area served by the Centre’s established sub-centre — treated a total of 385 patients across a broader range of specialisations. In addition to primary care, the camp offered specialised screening and diagnostic services.
| Discipline / Service | Type |
|---|---|
| Medicine | General consultations |
| Paediatrics | Child health services |
| Dentistry | Dental care |
| Gynaecology | Women’s health consultations |
| Rheumatology | Joint and musculoskeletal care |
| Optometry | Eye examinations |
| Audiology | Hearing assessments |
| Reflexology | Therapeutic foot treatment |
| PSA (Prostate Cancer Screening) | Specialised screening |
| Pap Smears | Cervical cancer screening |
| ECG | Cardiac screening |
| Blood Tests | Diagnostic pathology |
Combined Statistics
| Outreach Location | Date | Patients Treated |
|---|---|---|
| Ermelo | 15 August 2026 | 300 |
| Newcastle | 16 August 2026 | 385 |
| Total | 685 |
