The Smile Foundation celebrates renovation of the burns unit
HYDE PARK – The Smile Foundation thrives to assist more children with treatable facial deformities through reconstructive surgery.
The Smile Foundation based in Hyde Park was once again privileged to partner with 11 academic hospitals around the country and was are very fortunate to support so many patients in these hospitals.
This was according to CEO at the non-governmental organisation (NGO) foundation, Hedley Lewis as he highlighted some of the work done by the foundation this year.
“One of the highlights this year was the renovation of phase one of the burns unit at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberly which has now been completed and will formally be open soon. The unit has already been used for paediatric patients that have undergone surgery during the Smile Week we have supported and hosted in the hospital this November,” Lewis said.
He added that the hospital’s CEO Alistair Kantani, hospital management and staff were very excited that together they would officially be launching the Burns Unit on 5 December.
Lewis said, “The MEC visits in different academic hospitals were a highlight for us and we were privileged to host them at some of the Smile Week events this year. There has been further collaboration with government through the Department of Health, where we have worked on various policies that are to be put into action. This has allowed us to continue moving forward with the same vision in the national and local Departments of Health.”
He said they were grateful to all donors across the spectrum who stepped up to support the Smile Foundation. One such donor sponsored a laser machine 18 months ago, and one of the highs this year has been that the same donor has come on board to offer another laser machine at the Johnson and Johnson Burns Unit in Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. This laser machine can improve severe scarring for the burns paediatric patients. The CEO added that Smile Foundation is aware of so many areas that are in need within the communities. He said a closer look at the situation shows that there are more areas that need to be addressed and there are so many people out there that are not aware that they can get the necessary help that they need through the NGO and academic hospitals nationally.
“We look forward to supporting the renovation of phase two and three of the burns unit at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital once funding is sourced. We look forward to partnering with other academic hospitals in other provinces,” said Lewis.
He added that going forward they will be addressing more of the social challenges that families and children face, and the solutions that can be offered in reconstructive surgery.
Smile Foundation wish list:
- Puzzles
- Toiletries for mothers – deodorant, small face cloth, toothpaste and toothbrush
- Toothbrush and paste for child
- Reading books – big colourful pictures / different languages if possible
- Slippers or slip-slops ages 4 to 10 years boys and girls
- Pyjamas
- Lightweight gowns for hospital use
- Crayons
- Colouring books.
Details: Smile Foundation www.smilefoundationsa.org
Follow us on twitter @RK_Gazette
Related Articles:
Smile Foundation SA has assisted 291 children with facial reconstructive surgery so far this year
