St Francis keeps afloat despite challenging economy

The St Francis Care Centre is still functioning in spite of a “very sick and worrying” economy.

This is according to chairperson Themba Ntshalintshali at their recent AGM.

“NGOs like St Francis Care Centre can only survive as long as they enjoy the commitment and support of board members and donors.

“I thank you sincerely for your support during the past year, which has made it possible for us to continue with the important work that we had set ourselves out to do,” he told guests.

Ntshalintshali added that the centre is managing to survive due to the efforts and commitment of management and staff, whom he said are invaluable.

“We appreciate their efforts and the large number of adults and children who benefitted from their hard work during the period under review. Even Covid-19 couldn’t thwart the centre’s existence.”

Centre manager Tilly Brouwer explained that the year under review presented huge financial challenges.

“We were faced not only with escalating costs as far as municipal expenses and other day-to-day expenses go, but also with the increase in fuel prices.

“Load-shedding necessitated the use of our generator, which brought about a huge increase in expenditure.

“We are, however, very grateful for the support of our donors during the period under review, which assisted us in decreasing our deficit by an amount of R298 935, compared to last year’s R574 831.”

Adult Hospice

Brouwer said the adult hospice continued to render quality palliative care services to adults suffering from life-threatening and/or life-limiting illnesses.

“A total of 68 patients (34 males and 34 females) were admitted during the period under review of which 54 died.

“The Department of Health continued to subsidise the hospice section, but to a disappointingly low degree.

“Subsidy was only received for five of the 30 available beds with the result being that finding funding to continue rendering palliative care to terminally ill patients remains an ongoing challenge.

“Our gratitude goes out to Matron Winnie Dlamini who works tirelessly at establishing relationships with medical aid schemes.

ALSO READ: NPOs create awareness about HIV/Aids

“Income from medical aid patients has assisted the centre significantly. The social worker offered psycho-social support and bereavement counselling to 29 families while the social auxiliary worker assisted five patients in obtaining disability grants.

“Challenges have been, inter alia, medical aids who don’t recognise the importance of palliative care and therefore make no provision for in-patient treatment for such members. The shortage of staff and medical equipment has also presented challenges.”

Rainbow Cottage

Brouwer added that during the period under review, 50 children aged between 0 and seven were provided with residential, medical, physical, emotional and spiritual care. There were 24 new admissions.

Home-based care

Home-based care services were rendered in the formal and informal settlements in Vosloorus, which include hostels that are occupied by people from other provinces.

• 4 536 community members were reached through door-to-door campaigns and topics such as child protection, substance abuse and flu vaccinations were discussed.

• 538 home visits were conducted by social auxiliary workers and caregivers to provide psychosocial support to 68 older persons.

• 162 youth, 235 adults and 215 orphaned and vulnerable (OVC’s) children were reached.

• 38 new files were opened.

“The home-based care programme is funded by the Department of Social Development and we express our sincere gratitude to them for their support,” Bouwer said.

HTS – social mobilisation programme

Bouwer explained this programme is linked to the national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS and is known as the 95-95-95 programme.

“The national aim is that by the year 2030, 95% of South Africans will know their status (currently 94%), 95% who are HIV positive will be on treatment (currently 72%) and 95% (currently 92%) of those on treatment will be virally suppressed.”

During the period under review, the centre has had two teams going into the community to mobilise people to reach the abovementioned goals.

“They have worked in demarcated areas (as specified by the government) and have had stringent monthly targets that had to be met.

“A total of 6 638 people were tested for HIV and screened for TB. Of these, 70 tested positive and were referred for treatment. Ninety males were referred for medical male circumcision.”

ALSO READ: Special treat for St Francis residents