Past Projects

Operating Theatre Complex

The new Operating Theatre Complex at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa officially opened its doors on Wednesday 16 November 2009. The Children's Hospital Trust, the Fundraising Arm of the Hospital, is proud to have raised the ZAR125million needed to build and equip this modern facility.

“The Children's Hospital Trust is unwavering in our commitment to provide facilities that match the quality of care provided by committed staff at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. It has been a complex four-year project management process and a mammoth collective fundraising effort for the Trust to raise ZAR125million. 100% of the funds raised went towards the project. Not a single cent was spent on administration. The success of the Trust rests entirely on the generosity of its donors. We sincerely thank the many, many generous supporters whose goodwill has ensured the completion of this remarkable legacy for children. We are grateful for the public's ongoing generosity to the Hospital and the sick patients it serves,” says Louise Driver, CEO: The Children's Hospital Trust.

The Facilities

The new state–of–the–art facility includes eight fully equipped operating theatres; three fully digitalised. The new digital installation is the first of its kind and sophistication in sub–Saharan Africa and is technically on par with the most advanced installations in the US, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia. The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital is the only stand alone, specialist hospital in southern Africa dedicated entirely to children. For the first time since the Hospital was built in 1956, each operating theatre is designated to a sub–speciality; Emergency & Septic

Orthopaedics, Burns, Neurosurgery & Spinal Orthopaedics (digitalised), General Endoscopic (digitalised), Urology & Plastics (digitalised), Cardiac, Ophthalmology (Eye) and an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) & Scopes Theatre.

The new digital operating theatres together with a modern digital lecture facility will form part of a multidisciplinary training hub that will assist other African nations to develop and improve their paediatric surgical skills. The potential provision of a new Clinical Skills Training Centre is under investigation. The new Complex also includes a new dedicated Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory, a Central Processing Department, an Anaesthetic Suite and a Pain Management Unit.

In the words of the Hospital CEO, Dr Dimitri Erasmus

“The new 4600m² facility is a significant development in the history of the Hospital and the biggest upgrade to date. The refurbished and expanded Complex has increased from four to eight new theatres and is set to advance the Hospital and keep it abreast of modern surgical techniques and technology. The wear and tear on valuable equipment will be drastically reduced as the new equipment is dedicated to each new theatre and no longer needs to be moved between the various theatres. This will result in greater efficiency and improved patient outcomes for the more than 700 patients undergoing surgery every month. The working environment for the 100 plus staff who work in the Complex will improve significantly. Better working conditions can help attract and retain high quality surgeons and staff,” says Dr. Dimitri Erasmus, CEO: The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

In the words of Professor Alastair Millar

“Surgeons are now positioned at the forefront of new developments in the surgery of children, particularly with respect to minimally invasive or 'keyhole' surgery. Every speciality has the privilege and responsibility to be leaders in their respective fields. The superb audio visual equipment installed in three of the new theatres will mean that we can share what we do with our colleagues in South Africa, Africa and around the world. We are able to both teach and learn so that we can improve care for children requiring surgery,” says Professor Alastair Millar, Charles F M Saint Professor of Paediatric Surgery: The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

Details of Key Funding

The Children's Hospital Trust's ambitious fundraising campaign kicked off in 2005 with a ZAR4million pledge from an international philanthropic organisation, The ELMA Foundation. This pledge was to be used to leverage matched funding and helped to secure funding from key donors including Raymond Ackerman, Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd, Engen Petroleum, The Harry Crossley Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Dutch Postcode Lotteries, the Walton Leycester Family Trust, Knorr–Bremse Global Care, Netcare and Edcon.

In August 2006 the Trust launched O.P.E.R.A.T.I.O.N. Theatre. This high profile fundraising campaign, in partnership with the Cape Argus, encouraged the South African public to help raise the final ZAR10million needed to start building Phase One of the project. The target was reached and building commenced in March 2007.

Raymond Ackerman, founder and Chairman of Pick n Pay, donated ZAR4million to the Hospital in celebration of his 75th birthday. This critical funding secured the dedicated Urology and Plastics Theatre used for kidney and liver transplants and plastic surgery including cleft palate operations.

Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd's Corporate Social Investment initiative donated ZAR4million to build the dedicated 'Adcock Ingram Cardio–Thoracic Theatre'. Only cardiac procedures will be performed in this theatre, drastically reducing the risks of infection. The Hospital remains the only paediatric cardiac surgery unit in South Africa qualified to train paediatric cardiologists. Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd further extended their generosity by sponsoring the Grand Opening event.

Engen Petroleum Ltd contributed ZAR4million for the construction of the new dedicated Burns Theatre. More than 1300 children with severe burns are treated at the Hospital every year. A staggering 70% of the patients are younger than six and 98% are from poor and marginalised communities.

The Harry Crossley Foundation's philanthropic donation of ZAR5million secured the development of a new Recovery Room where staff has adequate space and essential equipment to closely monitor patients post–surgery and relieve the ICU.

American grant makers, The Atlantic Philanthropies donated a remarkable ZAR20million towards the purchase of critical surgical equipment across several of the new operating theatres including the set–up of digital surgical systems. Without this undesignated donation the project may not have become a reality.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery donated an extraordinary ZAR18million towards the project. This was the largest grant towards the building costs of the new facility and meant a breakthrough in realizing this ambitious project. Therefore the name of the new operating wing will be “The Lolo Wing – Surgical Centre of Excellence for Children – Proudly supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery”. The name Lolo is an affectionate Xhosa name given to young children and the mascot of the Children's Hospital Trust. The sizeable grant enabled construction on the ambitious building project to progress to Phase Two with building on the final phase starting in January 2009.

The Leycester Walton Family Trust's donation of over ZAR5.6million was made in memory of their son, Tony. This significant donation was used to build and equip the dedicated and digitalised 'General Endoscopic Theatre'.

German corporate, Knorr–Bremse Global Care, donated ZAR5.4million to finance the digitalization of the dedicated 'Neurosurgery & Spinal Orthopaedics Theatre'. Minimally invasive 'keyhole' surgical techniques help to reduce pain for the child and shorten their stay in Hospital.

Of the total building cost of ZAR70million, the Provincial Government of the Western Cape contributed ZAR8.5million towards building a new Central Processing Department (CPD). The CPD is a critical component as surgical instruments are sterilised, pre–packed and stored in this facility. The price tag for equipment including capital equipment, digital, fine instruments and CDP equipment totalled ZAR55million.

Netcare's ZAR2million donation went towards the building of the 'Neurosurgery & Spinal Orthopaedics Theatre'. This specialised theatre is one of the three digital theatres which allows for intricate operations to be screened in lecture theatres.

A generous donation of ZAR2million from Edcon funded the highly sophisticated Neuronavigation computer system which will be used by neurosurgeons in their new dedicated theatre. It is an intricate system that helps surgeons to guide or navigate within the confines of the skull or vertebral column during surgery.

The Pola Pasvolsky Charitable & Educational Trust donated much–needed funding for the upgrade of the lecture theatre to further enhance the Hospital's ability to teach and train medical professionals.

Comments From Our Generous Key Donors:

The Elma Foundation

The ELMA Foundation's commitment to effective philanthropy to create lasting change for Africa's children and youth has found perfect expression in this project to build and equip the new Operating Theatre Complex at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town. We are delighted to be amongst so many who contributed so generously to this venture. Bernadette Moffat, Executive Director: ELMA Philanthropies Services (Africa) (Pty), Ltd.

Mr Raymond Ackerman

“I couldn't think of a better way of celebrating my 75th birthday than by extending and strengthening my family's relationship with southern Africa's only dedicated specialist children's hospital. In fact it was the quickest and easiest decision I have ever made. Our history with the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital goes back to its very foundation, 50 years ago, and we have been proud to be associated with such a fine institution which does such incredible work.” Mr Raymond Ackerman, Chairman: Pick n Pay

Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd

“Adcock Ingram views itself as a corporate philanthropist with a keen interest in the improvement of access to Healthcare by all South Africans. The development of the new Operating Theatre Complex is viewed as an opportunity to widen access to life–saving surgical interventions for children in Africa. We are proud to be part of the team that has made this unit possible and this is a profound step towards 'Adding Value to Life', as enshrined in our mission statement.” Dr Jonathan Louw, CEO: Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd.

Engen Petroleum

“When we were approached to support the Burns Theatre it was fitting for us to choose a project that was in alignment with our safety focus. We felt that it was really fitting for us to contribute to such a worthy cause.” Khanyisa Balfour, Corporate Social Investment Manager: Engen Petroleum.

The Harry Crossley Foundation

“The Harry Crossley Foundation is always willing to play a role in assisting the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital where it can. We are totally inspired by the wonderful work that is done within the Hospital walls. By lending our financial support to the development of the Hospital we are reaching out to assist the small patients who need treatment. But there is another reason we value our involvement with the Hospital. We know that improved facilities will make the training and retaining of first class staff so much easier. The part we play is relatively simple – the staff at the Hospital deserves all the praise. We look forward to continuing to work with the Hospital in the years ahead.” Linda Whitfield, Trustee: The Harry Crossley Foundation

Cape Argus

“The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital has a wonderful reputation, both in this country and across the continent for being both innovative and caring. It looks after some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We think it does wonderful work and we are happy to be support their work.” Chris Whitfield, Editor–in–Chief Independent Newspaper Cape

The Atlantic Philanthropies

“Mr Chuck Feeny, the man behind this philanthropy loves funding bricks and mortar because he believes very firmly that it provides the foundation and the space within which other important elements can develop. He believes that unless you have an infrastructure that is conducive to growth, any efforts will be hampered. This project offered us the opportunity to contribute in line with his ethos and improve the infrastructure of the operating theatres and the environment so that training and work could happen more effectively at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.” Makhosazana Xaba, Programme Executive: The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Dutch Postcode Lottery

“The Dutch Postcode Lottery is a unique lottery concept, specifically aimed to raise funds for good causes and increase public awareness. 50% of its gross income is donated to organisations working to create a more just and green world. Our donation to the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital is perfectly aligned to our mission. We are proud that we were able to provide breakthrough funding for this dream project, enabling the drastic renovation and expansion of the surgical wing.” Marieke van Schaik, Managing Director Dutch Postcode Lottery.

The Leycester Walton Family Trust

“Our wish is that this new General Endoscopic operating theatre with its advanced technology will continue to assist doctors to do more pioneering work and take bigger steps than they were able to take before and that students can learn from this progress.” Val Walton.

Knorr–Bremse Global Care

“I witnessed surgeons operating within the new facility and it is a remarkable experience to see all that is possible with the new technology. It is notable how much simpler it is for the surgeon performing the operation and I am certain that it is equally exciting for the entire surgical team.” Mr. Alois Adlkofer, Managing Director: Knorr–Bremse South Africa and Representative for Knorr–Bremse Global Care.

Provincial Government of the Western Cape

“We are extremely excited about the new theatres at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. They will add significant value in terms of various aspects of our services and also impact the teaching and training programme that we run. The theatres are now equipped by specialty that provides an optimal environment for surgical teams. We are excited at the enormous value the new Complex will add to our patients; the poorest of the poor who deserve the very best care.” Dr Beth Engelbrecht, Deputy Director General Specialised & EMS Services, Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape.

Netcare

“The decision to sponsor the building of a new Operating Theatre Complex at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital was an easy one. Our donation fits in with our value of participation and underlines our willingness and desire to work in productive and creative partnerships with others. As we strive to be a leading corporate citizen, proud of our heritage and what we contribute to society, we hope that this donation will further enhance our already mutually beneficial relationship with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and its people.” Dr Victor Litlhakanyane, Chief Operations Officer: Primary Care, Partnerships Diagnostics of Netcare.

Edcon

“Edcon is rooted in different areas and communities throughout South Africa and selected SADC countries and we felt to recognise the remarkable support we have received from our customers throughout the years, we decided to contribute R2 million towards equipping the new Operating Theatre Complex at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town and we are equally excited that this gives us another opportunity to invest in our future. Children are our precious resource that we must nurture.” Xolile Caga, Group Transformation Manager: Edcon Group

For more information about this project please email cht@chtrust.org.za

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