Exchanging gifts, having warm meals, and spending time with loved ones are critical during the festive season. Sadly, some people in society are less privileged and not so fortunate.
However, the officials from Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital embarked on a journey to ensure that the needy at the Tower of Life were able to enjoy a festive experience. The Tower of Life houses between 80 to 90 homeless men and provides at least 400 meals per day to many homeless families which include women and children. The center is an NPO and mainly depends on donations to run its course.
According to Sinazo Novukela of West Rand District Health Services, Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital and the Tower of Life have since established a great relationship as the center plays a pivotal role in successfully placing homeless patients after they have been treated by the hospital.
“Together with their partner, who was also in attendance, The Bethany House Trust also ensures that they are equipped with skills and that the beneficiaries of the center are rehabilitated back into society through job creation, which ensures stability and improvement of their lives.”
Sinazo said that hospital officials started their ‘Father Christmas’ journey in November through the Employee Health and Wellness office by collecting non-perishable and long-shelf-life foods.
“This initiative was well received by the officials and there was immense participation. The hospital’s acting CEO Tsebo Litheko applauded the participation of the staff and has said that this will open doors for more healthcare facilities to adopt centers and run with similar initiatives as their response to give back to society and take care of one another, under the spirit of Ubuntu.
“This amplifies the work that Dr Yusuf Dadoo does for its community.”
A social worker based at Tower of Life, Nomusa Sibayoni-Mthimunye said that families are often distressed about feeding their loved ones.
“Such a gift from the hospital will take the load off many more people and will enable the center to feed more than the regular number, especially on Christmas Day. The center itself faces many different challenges, however, it does not sway away from its purpose,” added Nomusa.
Furthermore, the co-ordinator of Bethany House, Andrew Holdsworth said that Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital always responds swiftly when dealing with the beneficiaries of Tower of Life and works hand in hand in ensuring that even the homeless receive adequate healthcare services.
The handover was then concluded by the acting chief director for the West Rand District Health Services, Dr Tholithemba Mzobe, who applauded the efforts of the hospital and promised to challenge other healthcare facilities in the district to have similar initiatives.
