Health Officials Donate R12 110 to Red Cross Children’s Hospital

Today, staff members from Western Cape Government Health handed over a donation of R12 110 to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in honour of Mandela Day. The Overberg district’s health staff decided to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital Trust after hearing the heart-warming radio interview with Cadi de Jager, a former patient of the hospital and ambassador for the Children’s Hospital Trust. After contacting the Children’s Hospital Trust, the staff started raising funds through cupcake sales and monetary donations.

Ms Wilma Kamfer, Overberg District Director, said: ‘The idea was to donate an amount that would be symbolic of Mandela Day and therefore we asked staff members to donate R67. Although there were other initiatives the staff participated in on Mandela Day, they still eagerly participated in donating towards this very worthy cause. For us, this is not just a donation to Red Cross Children’s Hospital; it is an investment in the health and wellness of every child in our communities that might one day need the hospital’s services. We therefore challenge all other health facilities and government departments to help Red Cross Children’s Hospital reach its goal.’.

This donation will contribute towards the upgrade of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) which serves sick and injured children from all over Africa. Currently, the PICU only has 22 beds although the demand for intensive care for children is much higher. The R100 million-plus upgrade and expansion will add 17 new beds, an urgently needed 10-bed High Care Unit for neonatal patients and eight isolation cubicles to reduce cross infections. It will also create a comfortable and supportive space for families to wait and rest while their child is in hospital and provide a private breastfeeding room for moms. Increased space will mean that staff who work very long hours saving lives in tough conditions, will have adequate accommodation.

Anyone interested in donating towards this cause, can SMS ICU to 40465 to donate R20* or contact the Children’s Hospital Trust on 021 686 7860.

*Network & Admin fees apply