Security threats hamper Hospice
Hospice is facing a series of obstacles in their endeavours to help others
BURGLARIES have become a cause of concern at the Empangeni and Richards Bay Hospice homes.
In the last year in Empangeni an outside room was broken into, while a container used for storage suffered a similar fate.
In Richards Bay, thieves burgled the Hospice vehicles.
Speaking at the recent Zululand Hospice AGM, Chairperson Louis Fourie spoke about the necessity for security upgrades at both homes.
Hospice will need at least R77 000 for the upgrades, which just isn’t available to the organisation at this time.
Rise in patient care
Hospice has also seen a steady rise in the number of patients they care for and reach out to over the past three financial years.
For the 2014/15 year, 470 patients have benefitted to some extent, a slight rise from 459 for 2013/14 and 399 in 2012/13.
‘The increase in patients by small margins is owing to the available budget,’ said Fourie.
Hospice is also struggling to maintain the level of care with their available vehicles.
‘I can assure you, five vehicles do the work required under stress. The new board needs to look at ways to increase our fleet by at least three vehicles.’
Despite these difficulties, and a slight drop in income for the year, the Chairman’s report remained positive in many aspects.
General Manager for Hospice Zululand, Dr Sibongile Magagula, invited members of the public to visit the Hospice homes.
‘The truth is there are so many people who do not know what we do,’ she said.
‘NGOs like us play a very vital role in the community. Hospice is a source of hope.’
If you wish to contact Zululand Hospice for more information or to become involved, call 035 7724910.
