The burns ward at Frere Hospital recently received a facelift courtesy of Eyabantwana Children’s Trust, transforming it into a more child-friendly environment with colourful paintings to ease the frustrations of patients and their loved ones.
Eyabantwana injected close to half-a-million rand towards the makeover with the help of local businesses, organisations and individuals. The trust launched the ward last week Wednesday at the East London Resource Centre.
“The Frere Hospital burns unit has been renovated to provide more a child-friendly, safe and hygienic environment for the treatment of children with burns,” said David Morrell of the trust.
Eyabantwana is an independent non-profit organisation established to support the work of the Eastern Cape Paediatric Surgical Services based in East London.
“In 2018, This year we have worked tirelessly to raise funds to improve the healthcare of young children in the province. Through their efforts, they raised more than over R400,000 this year.
“During 2018, this year, the trust has purchased more laparoscopic instruments needed for minimally invasive surgery and has installed a state-of-the-art hydraulic shower trolley and shower panel at the Frere Hospital burns ward at a cost of R160,000,” said Morrell.
Morrell said the trust had added the trust held had a number of fundraising events that made a huge impact in the renovations of the hospital.
He said the main event of the year was the 2018 Grandads Army Memorial Ride, a successful motorcycle ride from East London to Stellenbosch. Trystan Viaene, Steve Haynes and the Grandads Army team raised almost nearly R260,000 in March. this year.
“We extend our grateful thanks to all the individuals and groups and the entire East London community who have worked so hard to ensure that young children receive the care that they deserve. The generosity of the community and constructive joint ventures with various business sectors have enabled the trust to continue to fulfil its mandate in 2018,” this year”, concluded Morrell.
