The UWC Dentistry Faculty will increase its outreach thanks to a multi-million rand donation from Islamic Relief SA
IRSA is part of the global Islamic Relief Organisation, which is dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to those in need.
The organisation focuses on humanitarian aid, development projects, advocacy and awareness and community empowerment.
Marketing Co-ordinator at IRSA, Safwaan Mohamed, said: “The inception of this project funding came about two years ago when we saw that there was a need in underserved communities where people struggle to access finances for dental health.”
The group is donating R4,01-million to assist with dental outreach programmes in Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, and Khayelitsha.
A denture programme is also earmarked to help the elderly across Cape Town, as are weekend outreach programmes in Swellendam, Ceres, and Saldanha.
Dean of UWC’s Dentistry Faculty, Professor Veerasamy Yengopal, welcomed the funds being made available for these outreach programmes: ”There is a dire need for basic oral health care in our communities, and this donation will increase our reach to these communities. This donation will improve the quality of life of many patients who live in pain simply because they have great difficulty in accessing dental care.”
UWC Dentistry Senior Lecturer, Dr Faheema Kimmie, is excited about the collaboration to increase access to dental care, especially for children: “As we know, you can’t teach a child who is in dental pain. The intensity of dental pain has even been compared to that of childbirth, one of the most fearsome pain experiences. Through this project, we aim to reinforce oral health promotion and prevention strategies, which will help alleviate the burden of dental disease and improve the overall well-being of our communities.”
While IRSA is widely known for its disaster relief and emergency aid efforts, it also emphasises the importance of preventative care and community outreach programmes.
Their collaboration with the UWC Dental Department reflects this broader commitment to supporting vulnerable communities through diverse initiatives across South Africa.
Additionally, this partnership establishes a strong working relationship between UWC and IRSA, paving the way for future joint projects.
