Dr Yusuf Dadoo looking out for children: Launches additional services
Dr. Yusuf Dadoo hospital encouraged that cases be reported within 72 hours so that enough evidence could be collected, especially for sexual assault cases.
Dolled up with green ribbons, the Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital staff engaged with communities and hosted the Catholic Church’s Women’s League during their Child Protection Week campaign.
The hospital’s communications officer Puseletso Mabidikame said in a statement that social workers from the hospital were also joined by the Clinical Medico Forensic Clinic (Tshepong Clinic) team to engage the community and create awareness.
In partnership with the Bekkersdal Clinic the hospital hosted the Catholic Church’s Women’s League at their paediatric ward on Sunday, May 29.
“Based on our motto of work, charity and loyalty, our visit aimed to uplift the spirit of the parents through prayers, and to comfort the sick children by sharing goodies and advice,” said Tshireletso Phatlhanyane, a church representative.
She also said child-abuse stories as told by the media called for better stakeholder relations.
“We wish to adopt this hospital as a hospital of choice and work together annually,” she said.
Phindani Thwala who represented the hospital on the day, offered a warm welcome and expressed appreciation for the tokens the children in the paediatric ward had received. After the launch the teams had a walk-about around the hospital and the waiting areas.
Karabo Modise, a social worker at the hospital explained that the green ribbons represented the life and growth of children, and that they are to be protected and nurtured to be responsible adults.
She encouraged parents to offer kids undivided attention saying, “Let’s prioritise our children more than we do our cell phones, otherwise they will get the wrong information from their friends and social media. Let’s not turn a blind eye, but protect and keep children safe all the time – not only during Child Protection Week.”
The hospital encouraged that cases be reported within 72 hours so that enough evidence could be collected, especially for sexual assault cases.
The Clinical Medico Forensic Clinic (Tshepong clinic) offices are open from 07:00 to 19:00 very day including weekends and public holidays.
“We also work in partnership with the police. Should you experience any challenge at the police station please follow their complaint procedure. If all else fails come back to the hospital, we will take up the matter with the relevant colleagues at the police station,” said Merriam Matlala, Operational Manager – Clinical Medico Forensic Clinic (Tshepong Clinic).
Patients also had the chance to ask the experts about teenage pregnancy, children’s rights, child malnutrition, child abuse and human trafficking as well as other services offered by the hospital.
