Groote Schuur Hospital has received a timely donation of medical equipment, including protective gear, and even naartjies, to help in the fight against Covid-19.
On Good Friday April 10, the Kolisi Foundation headed by Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his wife, Rachel, donated 1 000 face masks to the Newborns Groote Schuur Trust. The masks are for mothers with babies in the neonatal unit .
Newborns Trust manager, Amy Mac Iver, says the mothers are in and out of the unit to breastfeed and visit their babies.
“Many of them have to use public transport to get to the hospital, and their living conditions are often crowded and difficult, and it’s critical that we protect the babies from any outside health risks.”
Ms Mac Iver said she had had a very swift response from the Bok captain when she had asked if his foundation could help.
“Not even an hour later, he called me back, saying the Kolisi Foundation had purchased 1 000 masks which would be available for collection the next day.
“On Good Friday, we were able to hand out masks to our moms, and our nurses gave demonstrations in different languages on how to care for and use them. I cannot begin to express our gratitude to the Kolisi Foundation for this life-saving donation.”
The Bok captain said they wanted to keep the babies safe.
“We don’t want them or their mothers to have further pressure,” he said. “The work that the Newborns Trust does is very close to our hearts, and we also had a premature baby so we know what it is like and will do whatever we can to support them.”
If anyone would like to support the Newborn Trust, email enquiries@newborns.org.za or call 082 884 6233.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday April 14, Old Mutual donated 300 face masks, 100 bottles of hand sanitiser and 300 boxes of gloves to Groote Schuur.
Old Mutual provincial management chairman, Savarion Arendse, said: “It is important to support our medical staff who are in the front line of the battle to show them that we are here for them.”
Last week, Polo SA supplied the hospital with 5 000 face masks; Medical Plant Africa donated 20 000 face masks and one mobile ventilator; and Babylonstoren Farm gave one ton of naartjies to hospital staff.
Hospital spokesman, Alaric Jacobs, thanked all those who were thinking of the hospital in a time of crisis.
“It’s not about the size of the donation; it’s about people opening up their hearts to make a difference to us so that we can keep our staff well protected to take care of their patients.”
If you would like to donate, contact Susanna van Dyk at 021 404 3248 or 084 580 9654.