Homoeopathy students from the Durban University of Technology DUT, under the guidance of clinician Dr Silvana Nienaber, recently participated in World TB Day activities at the Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre in Greyville, Durban. The event, hosted by Advance Access and Delivery South Africa AA and DSA, focused on raising awareness, providing screening services, and delivering essential healthcare support to vulnerable communities.
DUT Homoeopathy students provide ongoing clinical services at the Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre every Wednesday, offering consultations and homoeopathic care to a predominantly low income population, including individuals living on the streets or in shelters. In recognition of this sustained service and partnership, the team was invited to participate in the World TB Day outreach.
Homoeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that aims to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It considers the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of a patient, rather than focusing solely on symptoms. The approach involves taking a detailed case history, conducting physical assessments such as blood pressure and glucose testing, and prescribing remedies tailored to each individual. Prepared in highly diluted forms from natural substances, these remedies are selected according to the patient’s unique presentation. In community based settings such as Bellhaven, homoeopathy can play a supportive role in primary healthcare by addressing both acute and chronic conditions, promoting overall well-being, and restoring a sense of dignity through patient centred care.
The initiative provided a valuable platform for DUT students to engage directly with patients in a real world clinical setting while contributing to an important public health campaign. Through consultations and the provision of homoeopathic remedies, students played an active role in supporting primary healthcare delivery within the community.
Reflecting on the experience, student Barka Mistrey highlighted the profound human connection fostered through the initiative:
“Thank you very much and God bless you are often the parting words from individuals at Bellhaven. The kindness and genuine gratitude from a vulnerable community leave me deeply humbled. With the help of our remedies, we aim to restore not only health, but also pride and dignity. Experiences like this give purpose to what we do.”
For fellow student Casandra Kruger, the day was both challenging and rewarding: “Working at our community clinic for World TB Day pushed me to grow. It taught me to think quickly, adapt, and remain calm under pressure. Most of all, it was fulfilling to be part of something bigger and to make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Dr Silvana Nienaber emphasised the importance of such engagements in shaping future practitioners: “Bellhaven is truly a special place. The entire community is treated with genuine compassion. Our students are privileged to learn from every patient they treat, while serving individuals who may otherwise not have access to homoeopathic care. Every person deserves dignity, compassion, and care without judgment. This is what Bellhaven embodies.”
Student Nufaysah Salie reflected on the depth of learning gained beyond the classroom: “What we learn in textbooks and what we encounter in real life are very different. Each patient is unique, and you quickly learn how to adapt your approach. Many patients face difficult circumstances, yet they come seeking help with sincerity. Sometimes, simply being heard makes a difference.”
She further shared a moving encounter that underscored the importance of compassionate care: “One patient told us how grateful he was that we did not treat him as different. He had previously felt dismissed at another centre. It is heartbreaking, but also incredibly rewarding when patients return and tell you they are improving.”
The World TB Day outreach not only strengthened students’ clinical skills but also reinforced the values of empathy, service, and social responsibility. Through initiatives like these, DUT continues to play a vital role in community health while developing graduates who are both clinically competent and deeply compassionate.
Pictured: DUT Homoeopathy students providing ongoing clinical services at the Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre.
Shraddha Sirpal
