Last week, partners from government, universities, and the public and private sectors descended on the Theewaterskloof sub-district to deliver health, wellness, and essential services to rural communities.

The three-day InReach, held from 25 to 27 September, brought together healthcare professionals, academics, and non-governmental organisations to provide essential health services, education, and infrastructure support across Caledon, Grabouw, and Knoflokskraal. Led by Stellenbosch University (SU) in partnership with Western Cape Government: Health and Wellness, the initiative included health sciences and engineering students from SU, dental health experts and students from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

The programme featured a wide range of activities aimed at supporting and strengthening the local health system while simultaneously providing valuable patient experience to training students. Over three days, teams performed 20 cataract surgeries at Eeste River Hospital and delivered dental health services to approximately 200 patients, including extractions, cleanings, fillings, and screenings. Eye screening and spectacle fitting reached local children, while 10 doctors in the region received ultrasound training.

"We are grateful to Western Cape Government: Health and Wellness, our partners, and the communities of Theewaterskloof, as this initiative embodies a critical component of our university's vision—to serve society," said Dr Therese Fish, Vice Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact for SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. "Our motto for the InReach is to 'serve as we learn, and learn as we serve.' These activities provided our students and staff many opportunities to gain new experience and knowledge while serving the community."

Undergraduate health sciences students from SU joined Right to Care community health workers on home visits to 14 elderly residents of Knoflokskraal, a Khoi agricultural settlement in Elgin Valley. Al-Imdaad Foundation also provided food parcels to these households.

Beyond healthcare support, a team of eight postgraduate engineering students and three staff members from SU contributed to minor infrastructure improvements at Caledon Hospital. Their work included repairing lighting and equipment—including two blood-pressure monitors and a theatre bed—and addressing small maintenance issues that improved the hospital's functionality.

"We're so happy to just make a difference here. It's also the first time for the students to experience working inside a hospital," said Peter Conradie, an engineering employee at Stellenbosch University.

SU students also participated in observational ward rounds at Caledon Hospital, where they witnessed real-time clinical workflows, engaged with hospital staff, and deepened their understanding of patient care in a district hospital setting.

There were also various activities aimed at strengthening the local health system, including point-of-care ultrasound training, clinicians-as-teachers training, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship training, and emergency care in-situ simulation in clinical settings.

The programme also included ECD STEPi training, which aimed to equip Early Childhood Development professionals with practical knowledge and formally recognise their participation through certification. Meanwhile, the Next Gen exhibition was designed for high school learners, teachers, and parents to engage directly with practitioners and trainers to explore future-forward health technologies. Exhibitors included WCNN, Pathcare Academy, and UWC Dental, offering hands-on learning and inspiration for the next generation of health professionals.

The Theewaterskloof InReach demonstrates what can be achieved when government, academia, and civil society work together. With hundreds of patients served, infrastructure improved, and future health leaders engaged, the initiative built a strong foundation for sustainable healthcare in the Western Cape.