Specialised rehab centre on cards for South Rand Hospital

The Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, visited South Rand Hospital as part of the Department of Health’s strategy to launch a rehabilitation centre at the hospital.

The primary aim of the visit was to locate the correct unit where people with cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome could receive the therapeutic services and support they require.

Nomantu said it was not her first visit to this hospital, but she came because she met a few families in the area with children with Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy, and that touched her greatly.

“I recently conducted a door-to-door campaign in and around Johannesburg, and on that day, I met about 16 families with children with Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy. South Rand Hospital is one of the hospitals identified as a centre of excellence for such conditions, which is why I am here today to assess the ward that we can use for the rehabilitation centre.

“I believe such children are not receiving enough support, and this is one hospital where the provincial government must take responsibility for ensuring that such children are cared for.

“I am here so they can tell us what we can immediately do to help such people. I have also noticed that when you are a mother and have such a child, you feel stigmatised because you are worried about what people will say. So we are attempting to bridge that gap, which is why we are looking into establishing a centre that will house counsellors, physiotherapists, doctors, and nurses,“ said MEC Nomantu.

Support in every way

The hospital’s acting CEO, Simphiwe Gada, said they are pleased that they were one of the hospitals the MEC chose because therapeutic services for people with cerebral palsy or Down’s syndrome were neglected for a long time.

“What we want to do is to help such people and give them special attention, and as the hospital, I believe we have a special and central role to play.

“These people stay with us in our communities, but many people are unaware of them, and when their families or parents become tired of caring for them, they sometimes commit suicide, so as a hospital, we want to broaden our scope and look after them.

“A rehabilitation centre for people with such conditions is necessary because many do not understand what is wrong when they see that special child,” said Gada.

Gada went on to say that they want to work with the community, but more importantly, they must understand that South Rand Hospital does not belong to the management but to them as the community.

“We want to hear what they have to say, and we are here to listen,” said Gada.

Gada said they are calling on the public, especially in the surrounding areas, to recognise them as a hospital that is welcoming and that engages in collaborative efforts and campaigns.

Dr Maebe Letwaba said he is happy that a rehabilitation centre that will cater for people living with cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome will be available at the hospital.

“We need to provide such services because it is essential and the marginalised can be taken care of. These are children who need more than just seeing them, they need support in every way,” said Letwaba.