Rusty the Rhino, from the Netcare N17 Hospital, will soon visit Netcare Unitas Hospital.
Celebrity Chef Rueben Riffel will be part of the innovative paediatric catering programme which was officially launched at Netcare Unitas Hospital recently.
Riffel, who is an ambassador for Medirest, says he is delighted to be involved in the launch of this exciting new children’s programme.
The ‘Rusty the Rhino’ programme, developed by the Compass Group and Medirest, Netcare’s catering service supplier, will be introduced at all Netcare hospitals with paediatric wards countrywide.
“I have always been passionate about good food as it is such an integral part of our daily lives and can enhance almost any experience.
“Being a father myself I know children are often very particular about which foods they are prepared to try.
“’Rusty the Rhino’ brings a new element of fun to meal times for children in the hospital,” said Riffel.
Presentation of food is extremely important, and the meals will be served on trays and crockery decorated with Rusty the Rhino’s smiling face.
“The age-specific menus are designed to be healthy yet enticing for children and include ‘kiddie favourites’ with a wholesome yet tasty twist,” says Riffel.
Netcare hospital division’s general manager Jacques du Plessis says the programme heralds a new approach to paediatric catering in that the enticing menus offer nutritious meals designed to appeal to junior palates while the friendly rhinoceros character is expected to make the hospital experience more pleasant for children.
“When children are admitted to hospital they invariably feel anxious about being away from home.
“At Netcare hospitals, we strive to make our paediatric wards a welcoming environment for our young patients.
“In our experience, children who are unwell and are in the unfamiliar surroundings of a healthcare facility often require a little extra coaxing to encourage them to eat, as maintaining good nutrition is a very important part of their recovery process,” says du Plessis.
The programme is initially being introduced at the N17, Netcare Ferncrest, Netcare Krugersdorp, Netcare Linksfield, and Netcare Unitas hospitals.
Next month Rusty will arrive at Netcare Olivedale Hospital and will be available at other Netcare hospitals with paediatric wards soon thereafter.
“The rhinoceros was chosen for the programme because children in South Africa know and identify with a rhinoceros. At the same time the rhinoceros character also aims to foster an interest in this endangered species and promote conservation consciousness in the young patients,” says Dolf Smook, general manager of Medirest.
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