The Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust has received a significant donation of R1 105 000 from the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT), which will help bolster healthcare services for these vulnerable patients, reports Weekend Argus.
The funding is earmarked for three critical projects aimed at enhancing paediatric and neonatal support at the hospital, which manages the largest baby unit in the Western Cape and cares for the highest number of premature infants in South Africa.
SAMCT representative Faried Boltman said specialised equipment was essential for the effective monitoring and care of premature and critically ill newborns, and that saving the lives of babies in hospitals “is a critical global health imperative that creates the foundation for societal well-being”.
The donation has enabled the procurement of several life-saving tools:
• Gastro-intestinal videoscope: A paediatric-sized gastroscope to improve diagnostic accuracy and surgical outcomes.
• Specialised bronchoscopy equipment: Forceps and baskets designed for safe foreign body retrieval and lung biopsies, key to managing respiratory conditions.
• Supportive ward furniture: Several recliner chairs have been provided to improve the comfort of parents in the wards, which in turn supports the recovery process of their children.
Founded in 2001 by a group of dedicated doctors, the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust helps the paediatric units through enhanced facilities, medical equipment, and support programmes.
The SAMCT, established in 2008 through a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, focuses on providing resources to disadvantaged communities across South Africa, regardless of race or religion. The trust remains committed to fostering positive, lasting change in sectors such as healthcare, poverty alleviation, and education.
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