Durban clinic caring for the homeless needs support
In order to continue the excellent service the clinic has been providing, the local organisation is appealing to the public for donor support and funding to purchase medicines and medical supplies and to keep the clinic afloat.
A LOCAL non-profit organisation based in Umbilo is appealing for donors to support their local clinic which provides medical care free of charge to many of Durban’s homeless, aged and unemployed who can’t afford proper medical care.
“The Kathleen Voysey Clinic is an NPO whose mission is to provide a free primary healthcare service to the unsheltered, unemployed or indigent and aged folk who cannot afford healthcare. The clinic is staffed by volunteer medical professionals and funded entirely by donations. The clinic is in desperate need of funding and in danger of closing down, so we would like to make an appeal to organisations and the public for funding for the clinic,” said the clinic’s manager, Gregory Whitehead.
Also read: Celebrating International Children’s Book Day with books from South African authors
The clinic operates each Thursday from the Umbilo Methodist Church hall with an average of 280 patients per month and 3 000 patients per year. “Our patient numbers continue to increase with an average of seven new patients each week. Our medical staff presently consists of three doctors, three nursing sisters and three pharmacists, all of whom are retired and work pro bono,” said Whitehead.
The clinic also has a dedicated wounds carer, four interpreters/administrators and a manager who are the only paid staff. The clinic is also staffed by a number of other weekly volunteers, bringing the staff complement to 17.
The clinic relies entirely on donor funds to operate and to purchase medicines and medical supplies from a recognised medical supplies wholesaler. “The clinic finds itself in a position of dire financial need. We are facing the spectre of closing and are appealing to organisations and individuals for financial assistance,” said Whitehead.
Also read: Drainage system at Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve fails against heavy rains
For more information, email Greg Whitehead at greg@musgravemethodist.co.za or visit musgravemethodist.co.za/outreach for more information.
If you’d like to make a payment to support the local clinic, use the banking details below:
Kathleen Voysey Clinic Trust
Investec Bank Ltd
Transmission Acc: 50005895066
Branch Code 580105
Swift Code: IVESZAJJXXX
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
