Doctor to inject Engen compensation money into community projects
Merebank-based Dr Devan Pillay said the money will fund feeding schemes, assist the disabled and more.
IN a gesture of goodwill, a Merebank doctor has decided to give his compensation from Engen back to the community.
The petroleum company refunded Dr Devan Pillay who rushed to the aid of the community after the Friday, December 4 2020 explosion.
He had offered his services to communities in need on the day and continued with consultations for about two weeks.
“We’re going to partner with Wentworth Angels to utilise those funds for community development and let that money go to good use,” he said.
“The main goal we had set up to achieve after the explosion was to have no fatalities. Without medical assistance, there could have been fatalities and we cannot put a monetary figure on someone’s life,” he added.
Although he could not disclose the amount, Dr Pillay said the money will be used on community upliftment projects. These will include feeding schemes and assisting the disabled by providing them with wheelchairs, crutches and more.
He said the founder of Wentworth Angels, Tracey Williams, will facilitate the distribution. On the day of the explosion, he and his staff took their mobile clinic trailers to the community.
“We helped anybody who needed our assistance, nobody was turned away. We offered our services without expecting monetary gains. After a week or two, when most symptoms had died down, we walked away,” he said.
Williams described Dr Pillay as a man after God’s own heart. She said when the explosion rocked Wentworth, Merebank, the Bluff and surrounds, he came to the rescue of the community without expecting anything.
She said even though the doctor was not looking for any payment, she and other community leaders insisted that he makes a claim. They believed it was the corporate company’s responsibility to fit the bill.
“Many were affected with trauma, stress, coughing, skin rashes and burning eyes, this was when we decided to call the doctor for help.”
“Engen Refinery gave him a token of appreciation for all he did for the community from the granting aid. It was a long process but I am grateful that the company acknowledged him for his good deed,” she said.
A response from Engen was not available at the time of publication. Â
