In most South African hospitals, there's little distinction between child and adult emergencies. Critically injured infants are often treated next to adults who've been involved in brawls or road accidents. And while the health professionals stationed at these often-overcrowded emergency units, it's impossible to give a child the same level of care without specialised paediatric training and equipment. But a group of selfless donors are joining forces with the Carte Blanche Making A Difference (MAD) Trust to bring life-saving change to paediatric patients across the country.
A SECOND CHANCE AT SEBOKENG
Over the last ten years, the Carte Blanche A Difference Trust has built two dedicated high-care wards at Sebokeng Regional Hospital in Gauteng, providing much-needed specialist care. But more is needed... As babies and toddlers were crammed into an overcrowded facility - often faced with the threat of infection and medical staff not adequately trained to treat tiny bodies - it was clear the hospital needed a dedicated paediatric consultation room. And so, the MAD Trust team jumped into action with an even bigger plan.
Currently, just bricks and cement, a site nestled tightly between Sebokeng Regional Hospital's existing buildings will soon become a space where young lives will be saved. This new facility will provide all-round emergency care for its young patients and hope for their parents and caretakers. "We're not only just dealing with children. This child comes from a family, and this family is coming from a community," says Sebokeng Regional Hospital's Head of Paediatrics, Dr Thapelo Theletsane. "I think in the longer term, the overall health status of children in this district will be improved."
The project will be completed in July 2024.
FULFILLING THE NEED AT NGWELEZANA
As South Africa faces a growing health crisis, the MAD Trust wastes little time in getting involved in communities where it's most needed. Prior to laying the first foundations at Sebokeng Hospital, the Trust also completed a dedicated paediatric burns unit at Ngwelezana Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal in November 2023. The unit will treat up to eight young patients requiring sedation each day on an outpatient basis. This project would not have been possible without the incredible financial support from South32's Richards Bay Hillside Aluminium as well as the unwavering dedication from our material donors including Sakhiwo Health Solutions, Cobra (Part of LIXIL), Hospi Track Africa, Polyflor, Ekcon, Max On Top, Union Tiles, Hospital Design Group, Parrot, TAL, Sika, Franke, DSV, Tilt Screens, Viljoen Nel Chartered Accountants, Meditek, Cranium Medical Products, Versus Paint & Coatings and Webber Wentzel.
With over 1200 staff, Ngwelezana Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in its district and serves approximately 770 patients every month.
Since 2008, the MAD Trust has completed over 22 projects across major public hospitals across the country. This has resulted in 250 000 infants and children gaining access to state-of-the-art healthcare. "The Trust, our partners and our incredibly generous sponsors are honoured to be able to turn pockets of need into pockets of service," says MAD Trust Patron, Karolina Andropoulos.
A WORD FROM OUR DONORS
COBRA (PART OF LIXIL)
Over the past 10 years, LIXIL Africa has partnered with Carte Blanche Making A Difference (MAD) Trust and Hospital Design Group on several projects, supplying sanitaryware products to various hospitals. Beneath the LIXIL Africa umbrella lies the Cobra brand; a range of locally designed products for the South African market with an established practise of upskilling community plumbers and remote satellite installation sites throughout the country.
Another exciting project venture is currently underway in which LIXIL Africa announces its involvement in with the supply of leading quality Cobra sanitary products to the Ngwelezana Paediatric Burns Unit, Phase 2 - Outpatient Unit located in Umhlatuze Municipality, KwaZulu Natal.
This project is led by the Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust in partnership with the Hospital Design Group and Sakhiwo Health Solutions.
Cobra products that have featured in the unit are the Cobra Shelter round basin, Cobra Stella range mixer tap as well as the Cobra medical range pillar tap and the Cobra Medical mixer tap – both excellent selections for hands-free usage in hospital spaces where cross contamination is a large concern. The Vaal Entice wall hung toilet along with the Skate wall flush plate have featured in the ablution facilities, and a range of Cobra accessories, connection hoses, plugs, wastes and valves will also be utilised throughout these sanitation facilities.
LIXIL Africa and the Cobra brand are delighted to have been included in a project of such importance in the South African community and look forward to the inclusion of many more.
More about Cobra (Part of LIXIL): https://cobra.lixil.co.za/
EKCON CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Ekcon Consulting Engineers, a leading name in the field of civil, structural, and mechanical engineering, was thrilled to support the Ngwelezana Hospital Pediatric Burns unit through pro bono contribution of consulting civil and structural services.
The Pediatric Burns Unit at Ngwelezana Hospital plays a critical role in the care and recovery of children affected by burn injuries. We recognize the importance of their work and were excited to offer our expertise and services to assist in their mission to provide the highest quality care to young patients in need.
Ekcon Consulting Engineers is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful cause and support the Carte Blanche Making a difference Trust in their efforts to make a positive impact on the community.
More about Ekcon Consulting Engineers: https://www.ekcon.co.za/
HOSPI TRACK AFRICA
Hospi Track Africa is continually willing to assist the Carte Blanche Making a Difference Trust , as to be a part of their remarkable work in the community and diligent efforts to improve the world around us. We are honoured to contribute to the Ngwelezana Hospital Paediatric Burns Outpatient Department Project , to assist with better privacy ,and increase the wellbeing of the patients.
I know that the Carte Blanche Trust goes above and beyond the call of duty. You represent all that is good, wholesome, ethical, and moral in a foundation and in this world. We look forward to seeing the continued progress you will make in the near future, and we will strive to support many more causes and hope that it will help provide you with the resources you need to continue your endeavours.
More about Hospi Track Africa: https://hospitrack.co.za/\
TAL
TAL is proud to have contributed to the new construction of the Paediatric Burns Outpatient facility at Ngwelezane Hospital, initiated by the Carte Blanche Making A Difference (MAD) Trust, a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). Our contribution took the form of a fast-track floor levelling system which included a vapour barrier, primer and self-levelling screed, ensuring a suitable surface for the subsequent installation of vinyl sheeting in this entirely new facility.
We acknowledge and thank the MAD Trust, M-Net, MultiChoice, Hospital Design Group (HDG) Architects and all parties involved for their unwavering support in establishing this important outpatient unit. This facility interlinks with the 22-bed Paediatric Burns Unit created by the Trust in 2019, marking a significant enhancement of paediatric services to child burns victims.
We extend our best wishes to the staff and families who will benefit from these state-of-the-art paediatric burn care facilities. TAL's commitment to such projects illustrates our dedication to creating spaces that enhance the quality of life in the communities that we serve.
More about TAL: https://tal.co.za/home/
MAX ON TOP
Max on Top is honoured to be a part of the Carte Blanche Trust making a difference campaign. This new Paediatric Burns Outpatient Department at Ngwelezana Hospital is greatly needed and we are thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the little patient’s lives and those of their families and loved ones. We know there are many champions on the ground working in the various wards making a real difference in people’s lives and we trust that this new department will go a long way in assisting them in this regard.
More about Max On Top: https://maxontop.co.za/
POLYFLOR
Polyflor South Africa has been supplying hospital and healthcare facilities with specialist vinyl flooring and wall protection solutions for 30 years. We are a values driven business and have entrenched these behaviours into the very core of our business, holding ourselves and each other accountable at all times. We are passionate about doing it right, ensuring successful outcomes and giving back to a community who has supported us so wholeheartedly.
We believe in the future of this country and are dedicated to shaping a better future for our people. We are committed to doing everything we can to upgrade, upskill, enable and improve and are privileged to have been able to support the Carte Blanche MAD Trust since inception.
Modern healthcare design needs to be carefully considered and is about creating comfortable, relaxed environments that are as welcoming as they are safe and clean. The right flooring can have a positive effect on the atmosphere of a hospital and inspire a sense of healing and wellbeing in patients, staff and visitors. Because we specialise in flooring and wall protection solutions for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare establishments that focus on combining aesthetic beauty with a hygienic, professional touch, we were very excited to once again partner with the Carte Blanche Making a Difference Trust and to make a lasting and tangible difference in communities where it is most needed.
More about Polyflor: https://www.polyflor.co.za/
SAKHIWO HEALTH SOLUTIONS
Sakhiwo Health Solutions is a multi-disciplinary company that provides health planning, health technology, project management and turnkey solutions relating to hospital infrastructure development, commissioning, and facility maintenance management.
Sakhiwo relationship with Carte Blanche Making a difference Trust spans over 10 years. For the Ngwelezane Hospital Paeds Burns Unit OPD Sakhiwo acts as the Program Manager, enlist the services of the professional team, prepare the clinical brief and schedule of accommodation for the facility to guide the technical team for the desired outcome or scope, administer the finances/budget of the project.
Sakhiwo prepares the equipment list and specifications for the facility, manage procurement of the equipment’s, place, test and commission the facility. This is to ensure that the facility is ready to operate and receive the first patient.
More about Sakhiwo Health Solutions: https://www.sakhiwo.com/
TILT SCREENS
Thank you to all involved, for the opportunity to be a part of this Carte Blanche “Making a Difference” Trust project. Tilt Screens are leaders in architectural aluminium screens and cladding, and as founders we firmly believe that simplicity is key to innovation. Our goal is to design and manufacture perforated screens and products that are inherently functional and uniquely decorative. For every product or project, we apply the same principles; less material more components, reduced manufacture process and design integrity, while offering our customers choice through customisation. When we were approached to contribute to this project, we were very excited to take on this brief and immediately knew we wanted to donate our product. Light control, ventilation, concealment, and privacy are common benefits of our perforated architectural screens and panels, and with the canopies and pergolas at Ngwelezana Hospital we hope the benefits of shading plus the dappled light, ever-changing shadows and pattern effects bring joy and comfort to everyone who passes through this.
More about Tilt Screens: https://www.tiltscreens.co.za/
UNION TILES
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the invaluable opportunity to contribute to the Ngwelezana Hospital Pediatric Burns Outpatient Department Project. Our organization is profoundly grateful for the chance to sponsor tiles, which will undoubtedly create a cleaner and more hygienic environment for the young patients, facilitating a faster healing process.
The Ngwelezana Hospital Pediatric Burns Outpatient Department Project is an essential initiative, and we are honored to be part of it. The significance of providing a hygienic and comforting space for the children undergoing treatment cannot be overstated. We believe that our contribution will go a long way in improving the lives of these resilient young individuals and their families.
We extend our thanks to Carte Blanche for its unwavering commitment to raising awareness about critical causes like this one. It is through the media's spotlight on such projects that real change and impact are achieved. We are also deeply appreciative of Ngwelezana Hospital for its dedication to the welfare of the pediatric burn patients and the care they provide.
We eagerly await the Carte Blanche segment showcasing the Ngwelezana Hospital Pediatric Burns Outpatient Department Project and are thrilled to see the positive transformations our donation will bring to the hospital's facilities.
Once again, thank you for this exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
More about Union Tiles: https://uniontiles.co.za/
VERSUS PAINT
We are honoured and privileged to have been able to contribute toward the Ngwelezana Paediatric Burns Outpatient Department Project. Versus Paint Specialists offers eco-friendly paint alternatives, and has formulated wall coatings that considerably decrease the amount of damage done to one’s immediate environment and the environment as a whole. The Versus Paint brand has become synonymous with quality and luxury in the industry, and being at the forefront of the coatings industry has enabled Versus Paint to work on many landmark buildings in South Africa.
More about Versus Paint: www.versuslifestyle.com/
Find out more about the MAD Trust on the Carte Blanche Making A Difference page.