Elderly receive much-needed medical attention
Elderly residents of Donovan McDonald were treated to some much-needed medical care.
Residents of Donovan McDonald Retirement Centre were treated to some much-needed medical care on Thursday, November 7.
Local organisation Rays of Hope in partnership with Ashrafal Humanitarian Aid, provided a mobile clinic for the day, offering a variety of services to the elderly residents.
According to Rays of Hope founder Lameez Lawrence, who has been involved in humanitarian work for the past 20 years, the initiative was borne from her desire to provide free clinic services to residents in the Florida area.
“I came across an advert by Ashrafal Aid, which is a large international aid organisation, and I took a chance and contacted them,” says Lameez.
“They were very helpful right from the get-go and agreed to place a mobile clinic, complete with a professional nurse in Florida for a week.
“I was quite disappointed that the turnout from the community was not quite what I had hoped for.”
Lameez says that, through her aid work within the community, she had come to know some residents at Donovan McDonald, and it occurred to her that a mobile clinic could do a lot of good for the elderly residents who do not have access to such services normally.
“I got in touch with centre management, and they kindly allowed us to use the hall.
“It was the last day that we had use of the mobile clinic, and I arranged for it to be parked at the centre, and I spread the word among the residents.”
Residents took to the opportunity enthusiastically, making their way to the hall where they could have their blood sugar and blood pressure tested, and other ailments looked at by the nurse, who also distributed some creams, ointments and multivitamins.
“It was a huge success,” says Lameez. “I am so happy that we could make a real difference.”
Lameez was full of praise for professional nurse Sewela Sathekge, who handled the long line of elderly patients with kindness, patience and respect.
