The World Health Organization (Who) states that over 25 million people around the world are immobile and cannot afford a wheelchair. In South Africa, however, the statistics are grim.
With the idea that children with disabilities are among the most neglected groups in the country, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) in Parktown noted how the wheelchairs that have been donated to them by Wizo South Africa and Israeli NGO, Wheelchairs of Hope will assist in bolstering medical care to children at the hospital.
“In 2017, Wheelchairs of Hope donated a paediatric wheelchair to NMCH,” said the hospital’s CEO, Mandisa Maholwana. “We truly appreciate this initiative and the further donation of seven wheelchairs, as it will ultimately benefit those children who need this quality of care the most.”
The South African government estimates as many as 600 000 children with disabilities do not have access to an education. The majority of these children face enormous economic and social barriers that have an adverse impact on their physical, social and intellectual development and well-being. The simple need of a wheelchair is, however, something out of reach for most.
In addition to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, the other recipients of the 50 Wheelchairs of Hope wheelchairs are Maitland Cottage Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Cape Town and Give a Child a Family in Margate.
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