Kalafong Hospital's paediatric oncology unit has received another boost from long-standing benefactor Saab Grintek with the donation of a Propaq ECG Monitor. The equipment will be used by medical staff to monitor young patients' vital signs and provide essential data that will assist in faster diagnosis and treatment options.
The Kalafong Hospital's paediatric oncology unit cares for children of all ages up to the age of 17 years. The unit has gained an impressive reputation in paediatric oncology and its patients come from all over South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Most of the patients cannot afford medical aid and they rely heavily on the already stretched hospital resources. This has led to the need for fundraising activities and development of partnerships with the private sector, to ensure optimum levels of care.
Saab Grintek began assisting the hospital with much needed donations in 2001 and has played an active role in supporting various initiatives aimed at improving the unit's provision of therapy options.
Kalafong's co-ordinator for the cancer project, Vera van Dalen, says: "Cancer can be successfully treated provided that it is diagnosed early and correct treatment is prescribed. However, the costs associated with providing quality treatment are enormous. It's no secret that South African public healthcare system is under tremendous pressure. Kalafong is no different. In order for us to ensure that we continue to provide good treatment to these children, we need the support of the business sector."
Most of the patients simply cannot afford to go home in between the series of treatments they require. Since they do not have the financial resources to rent temporary accommodation in the vicinity, the patients find themselves having to stay at the hospital.
Kalafong Hospital's paediatric oncology unit has a special place in the hearts of many employees at Saab Grintek. To coincide with the donation of the ECG equipment, a group of eight dedicated Saab Avitronics employees decided to make their own personal contribution.
Making use of their own time and financial resources, the employees knitted 30 teddy bears for the children of Kalafong. The attention to detail and care given to this personal project impressed the management of the company to the extent that Saab Grintek provided financial support to allow the volunteers to continue with their worthy initiative.
Communications and public relations executive at Saab Avitronics, Florence Musengi, says: "The levels of dedication and passion for this project inspired many of my fellow colleagues. We simply had to provide the support needed to allow the endeavour to go on. With the financial support our talented craftswomen knitted a further 50 teddy bears, enabling them to give these children 80 bears. Each lovingly made to bring a smile to a child's face."
The paediatric oncology unit, through the work done by people like Vera van Dalen, also provides the essential support network for the children's families. Van Dalen has instituted a number of self-help projects to assist the mothers of the cancer patients to earn an income while at their children's beds.
"Our relationship with Saab Grintek has existed for over five years, during which they have been able to assist us in a number of projects. This type of support is crucial for us as it ensures that the good work that takes place at the hospital continues. We hope that other companies will see the value in our work and join us as our partners," says Van Dalen.
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