Community Engagement and Service Learning Projects in the School of Medicine

Progress report of projects in the School of Medicine.


The Doctor and the Environment


The objective is to inform service providers on the health care services utilisation of the community and the satisfaction with the services.

  • The MEC153 activities have all been finalised.
  • MBChB I – 2012 students went on a Mangaung mapping tour during February 2012. During the mapping tour students were exposed to the different health care facilities in the referral system in Mangaung and Bloemfontein and were briefed on the existing services, institutions and infrastructure of Mangaung.
  • The MBChB I – 2012 students went on seven clinic group visits during Februarie and March 2012. During the clinic visits, students completed questionnaires with community members at the MUCPP, Kagisanong, Poli-Heide and National Hospital clinics. The students were addressed by the community members on the needs and services available in the community.
  • MBChB I – 2013 students went on a Mangaung Mapping tour on 14 February 2013. The students further went on seven clinic group visits during February and March 2013. During the clinic visits students completed questionnaires with community members at MUCPP, Kagisanong, Poli-Heide and National Hospital clinics. The students were addressed by the community members on the needs and services available in the community.

Concepts of Health and Disease


The objective is to expose students to the basic insight of disease and illness, as well as some of the different factors which influence the health and well-being of the individual, but in particular the health and well-being of the community.

  • The MED153 activities have all been finalised.
  • The MBChB I – 2012 students went to Dr Blok Senior Secondary School for their school visit/workshop on 20 February 2012.This visit helped the students to do a need analysis of topics that need to be used for their Health Expo. The Expo took place on 12 April 2012 in the foyer of the Francois Retief Building. The Expo was a huge success with lots of people attending.
  • The MBChB I – 2013 students went to Dr Blok Senior Secondary School for their school visit/workshop on 4 March 2013. This visit helped the students to do a needs analysis of topics that need to be used for their Health Expo. The EXPO took place on 25 April 2013 in the foyer of the Francois Retief Building and there were a lot of people that came to the Expo, it was a huge success

From the evaluation feedback from the students and teachers it is clear how the whole community iecame involvement and the module had a great impact on them.


Health and Disease in Populations


The objective is to train medical students who will be equipped with skills, knowledge and attitudes to be competent to respond appropriately to the health needs of the people whom they will serve one day as doctors.

The MEX354 activities have all been finalised. Students had their project presentations done on 17 and 19 April 2012. It was a huge success and inspirational to see what they have accomplished during their time spent at the different Non-Profit Organisations (NGOs).

A lot of grateful letters have been received from the NGOs involved.

The NGOs involved for 2012 were:

  • Age-in-Action (Tlhokomelong).
  • ATKV Abbasorg Crèche.
  • Beyang Bana Pele Crèche.
  • Blessed Africa.
  • Bloem Shelter for Men.
  • Bloem Shelter for Women.
  • Bokang Edu Pre-School.
  • Elanja (Olympia Primary School).
  • Emelia (Day Care Centre for children with Multiple Disabilities).
  • Mooihawe Old-Age Home.
  • New Horizon Support Group.
  • Omega, Bloemspruit.
  • Omega Old-Age Home, Heidedal.
  • REACH.
  • Tshepo Foundation.
  • Wisdom Pre-school.

On 25 July we had a session scheduled with our 2013 MEX354 students to highlight the main points involved in their community projects for 2013.

The 2013-students had their project presentations done on 16 April 2013. It was a huge success and inspiration to see what they have accomplished during their time spent at the different NGO’s. We have received a lot of grateful letters from the NGOs involved. These students are really doing a great job at the NGOs which is evident in the feedback we got from the NGOs.
From our evaluation feedback from the students it is clear how their whole community involvement and the module had a great impact on them

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