Sitting next to the cot in the Trauma Ward within the Emergency Centre at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Charmaine Mokubetsane was attempting to comfort her eight-month-old boy, Uyathandwa Mokubetsane. It was clearly a difficult task as she could not hold him – he needed to rest on his back with his right leg elevated.
Uyathandwa suffered a fracture to his leg and is now in the process of healing. Despite being constrained and unable to feel the warmth of his mother, little Uyathandwa still managed to smile. Such a brave little boy.
His distressed mom says that she is still incredibly puzzled about how her son acquired this injury. One minute, after collecting him from his nanny, Uyathandwa was his normal playful self, rolling around on the bed, the next, he started crying hysterically. “I found this strange as he is not a child who cries often. I held him close and tried to calm him but to no avail. This broke my heart”, says Charmaine.
On arrival at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, doctors examined Uyathandwa and discovered that he had fractured his right leg.
“According to the doctors, the fracture could be the result of his size and he might have been too enthusiastic while playing. He’s very strong so he must’ve pressed too hard on his leg”, explains Charmaine.
The X-ray results showed no other injuries, swelling or bruising, and baby Uyathandwa is now recovering well. “I’m grateful to the medical staff as we have been treated with the utmost respect. The nurses and doctors are very sweet and caring”, she adds.
In this video, Dr Heloise Buys, Head of Clinical Unit: Ambulatory and Emergency Pediatrics, talks about the need for a better equipped Emergency Centre so that moms like Charmaine who are worried about their children, can sit in comfort while caring for their little ones. At present the Emergency Centre is not particularly spacious, child or family friendly.
The Children’s Hospital Trust is raising funds to upgrade and expand the Emergency Centre so that it can be more comfortable for caregivers in distress.
The upgrade will also improve the personalised care and flow of patients and healthcare workers through this extremely busy area of the hospital, which receives over 45 000 patients each year.
Join the cause, donate at www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za/donate and #Leave_YourMark on Life.
