Tembisa Hospital gets new wound care clinic

The SA Medical and Education Foundation (SAME) has undertaken a project to give Tembisa Hospital a new surgical wound care clinic.

According to SAME Foundation project manager, Tyrone Pols, infrastructure work worth R1-million is nearing completion.

SAME appeals to local businesses to donate CSI funds towards purchasing vital medical equipment for the unit.

“This unit treats injuries such as burns, gunshot wounds, stab wounds, as well as diabetes and disease-related amputations.” Pols said.

“Due to high usage of the facility (the unit sees over 12 000 adults and children annually), SAME has given them a specialised unit that has its own children’s area, as well as separate areas for infectious and non-infectious wounds,” said Pols.

Pols emphasised that this was to reduce cross-infection, which occurs when a patient contracts one disease while being treated for another.

“Doctors are facing a massive crisis by not having access to medical equipment to do their jobs, causing unnecessary suffering and harm.

A specialised piece of equipment that is required is a Vacumed, at a cost of R 600 000.

Vacumed intermittent vacuum therapy is innovative and state-of-the-art. It has proven to be highly effective in quickly healing infectious wounds and is usually an expensive procedure which is not readily available to the public,” added Pols.

Pols further said the project would give the Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni communities access to Vacumed treatment.

SAME is a national non-profit organisation that has invested R1 000 000 in infrastructure and furniture for the unit, and is in need of funds for vital medical equipment.

To donate towards this life-changing project, contact Tyrone Pols at 011 781 1510, or tyrone@samefoundation.org.za.