THE Stanley Nkosi Foundation, together with Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, has launched a trauma unit at the institution.
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, joined by Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Premier Panyaza Lesufi, MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and the foundation, were among the people who officially opened the newly renovated trauma unit in Soweto on Tuesday, 18 October.
The renovation project is part of the Vuka Bara Vuka campaign that aims to encourage and inspire Soweto residents and nearby communities to restore the legacy of the hospital.
This after Daphne Nkosi from the foundation realised that the trauma unit was not conducive for patients. Speakers described the old building to have had no proper sanitation places or windows, with its ceilings falling apart.
Nkosi called on the public to join the Vuka Bara Vuka campaign and help restore the legacy of the hospital.
The trauma unit is said to be the largest in the country, with 52 beds, and will ensure that the hospital continues to provide effective and efficient health services, and address the high demand for health services.
“I realised that the female section had card boxes, so I wanted to make sure that the toilets and bathroom were restored. We have put in new aluminium windows and bed settings with a nurse call. There were no air cons and heaters, and we installed them,” she said.
Addressing the audience, head of surgery Dr Martin Smith said in South Africa, trauma represented the fourth pandemic.
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“Our trauma burden is huge and continues to be so. After 1994 the trauma burden in Soweto decreased, however as a hospital, we still have a huge burden to manage,” he said.
Lesufi thanked Nkosi for the beautiful work she was continuously doing in Bara.
Phaahla said: “We are here to celebrate this unique contribution to the people of Soweto.”
The foundation thanked its sponsors for making the initiative a success. Black Magic Group was appreciated for its generous donation of R100 000, Sipho Nkosi and Nkosi for donating R500 000 as well as the National Movement of Rural Women for contributing R5 million.
