Police honour the elderly at Steve Biko Hospital
Stakeholders not only wanted to honour the elderly but also address recent viral videos of abuse.
Central police and Steve Biko Hospital hosted an awareness campaign at the facility last week in honour of protecting the elderly.
The team consisted of communication officer Constable Thabang Nkhumise, sector commander Warrant Officer Samuels, reservists, patrollers, wardens, social workers, nurses, staff and management.
International Elderly Persons Day was at the start of the month and Nkhumise said the partners decided to hold the campaign as elder abuse has been in the spotlight lately.
“Over the years the government has been working tirelessly to address issues of abuse, especially targetting vulnerable groups such as people living with disability, the elderly, children, women, and the LGBTQI+ community,” Nkhumise said.
“As seen on social media platforms, elderly people are being abused by their family members and this has created an outcry. The station urges the community not to turn a blind eye to any criminal conduct and can do it anonymously. This will be a continuous effort to ensure that the elderly people’s rights are not infringed in any way.”
This is another collaboration that has been ongoing to educate patients about channels to report complaints and criminal acts.
Pamphlets were distributed with various information ranging on rights of the elderly, children’s rights, gender-based violence, substance abuse and crime safety tips.
Law enforcement had the opportunity and platform to address residents and patients as well as allow them to raise their concerns about public service in hospitals and police stations.
“Steve Biko Hospital in partnership with SAPS took the initiative to educate the community about the importance of taking care of the elderly.
“The hospital also focused on raising awareness of the contribution and achievements of older individuals at work and in the community as well. Their well-being in taking care of their health and taking medication on time and consistently was emphasised to ensure that their health doesn’t deteriorate,” said hospital acting CEO, Dr Lehlohonolo Majake.
For more information or to report a crime, please call the following:
– Crime Stop helpline: 08600 10111
– Halt elderly abuse: 0800 003081
– Dept of Social Development: 0860 636679
– MySAPS app
– Crime line SMS 32211
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