Mandela Day calls on South Africans to make a difference in their communities and the staff and residents of Rand Aid’s Elphin Lodge Retirement Village and Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) are doing just that.
The neonatal section of the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital (RMMCH) in Johannesburg does not have a geyser and as part of its Mandela Day initiative, Elphin Lodge and RSCC are determined to help bring hot water to the unit.
At the beginning of last year, the Health Ombud released a report on the state of the hospital, expressing concern about the hospital’s poor infrastructure, among other things. In May, the Gauteng Department of Health said it was ‘making good progress in implementing the recommendations of the Health Ombud’s report’.
Prof Keith Bolton, the former head of paediatrics at the hospital and a part-time specialist, cites overcrowding as another challenge. He says the neonatal unit has capacity for 25 babies, but on average must accommodate 50. Overcrowding of the hospital sits at 120%. They never turn anyone away, he says.
“Despite the challenges, committed medical professionals remain steadfast in their mission of caring for mothers and children,” says Debbie Beech, Elphin Lodge’s deputy manager.
“It is for this reason that our village has had a long association with Prof Bolton, a veteran of the RMMCH,” she says.
The village kicked off its Mandela Day effort three weeks before the big day, on June 25, with a talk by Prof Bolton, the former head of paediatrics at the hospital and a part-time specialist.
“We are running a raffle to raise funds for the geyser, and residents are being asked to donate items on the hospital’s wish list. Each new mother is given a bag containing basic items and we want to fill as many bags as possible,” says Debbie, explaining that the hospital gets the bags donated from Netcare, but not the contents. “Our goal is 100 of these care bags.”
Debbie says the hospital does not accept infant formula or foodstuffs.
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on July 18. It honours the legacy of Nelson Mandela and encourages people to donate resources or volunteer their time to better the lives of others.
Rahima Moosa Mandela Day wish list
For moms:
Vaseline
Hand cream
Facecloth
Soap
Sanitary towels
Breast pads
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
For babies:
Baby soap – no no sodium laurel sulphate (SLS)
Baby lotion – no colourants, perfumes, alcohol, or SLS
Bum cream
Wipes
Roll of cotton wool
Pacifiers
Other wish list items:
Nappies
Receiving blankets
Baby vests (1 to 12 months)
New or used clothing in good condition, ranging from newborn to 12 years.
If members of the public would like to get involved, please contact Neeri Stroebel or Debbie Beech by phone (010 534 6595) or email (nstroebel@randaid.co.za; dbeech@randaid.co.za)
Elphin Lodge resident Barbara Malan and Merlyn Glass (paediatric nurse) with Prof Keith Bolton and some of the Mandela Day donations handed over to the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.
