Child cardiac unit for Africa
Candace Freeman
11 November 2003
Children born with heart defects in South Africa and the continent have better treatment prospects now that the new Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa is open.
Former President Nelson Mandela opened the centre at Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg last week, saying the unit was a living tribute to one of the greatest leaders of all time.
"Sisulu's concern was for the weak and vulnerable, for the marginalised in society. That's why he would have loved and supported this centre fully", Mandela said. "Our children are our future, and it is one of our basic responsibilities to take care of them in the best way possible."
The centre is the largest paediatric unit in Africa, aimed at providing quality health care to needy children and other social services to disadvantaged children.
According to Netcare chief executive Jack Shevel, the centre will improve awareness of cardiac conditions and treatment by providing
training and research facilities.
"In addition to caring for patients throughout Africa, the centre will serve as a platform for continuing medical education initiatives for the broader medical fraternity", Shevel said.
The centre will rely on private donations for its day-to-day operations, and members of the public and private sector are encouraged to help it achieve its goals. Those who wish to pledge their support to the centre should call (011) 254- 1767.
Mandela said he was alarmed to learn that only 20 percent of children in South Africa who developed heart conditions actually received the necessary treatment, and that in the rest of Africa this figure stood at only one percent.
"The tragedy of the situation is that many of those children who do not receive treatment, die young", Mandela said. "Children suffer enough as it is with war, poverty, HIV-Aids and various kinds of abuse. Where there is anything that we can do to alleviate their suffering, then
we must hasten to do so."
Speaking on behalf of the Sisulu family, Beryl Simelane said the family were both honoured and humbled by the tribute to her father, who died on 6 May. "It is also a sad day because my father did not live to see the opening of this centre", Simelane said. "We are very proud of this fine institution, and wish it all the success it deserves."
Source: BuaNews
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