Esona is a soccer-loving 11-year old boy who lives in Worcester. One Saturday evening, Esona had come indoors to spend an evening watching TV with his family. He was fresh and clean, having washed up after playing with his cousins nearby, and tucked into comfortable pyjamas. As he settled in, the electricity went off in his home. Esona picked up a candle and walked outside in the dark to call his cousins to come inside.
He closed the door and, in the darkness, realised that his shirt was on fire.
Luckily, he remembered what his teachers had told him: when you’re burning, stop, drop and roll. He rolled into the sand to extinguish the flames, but by then it was too late. His body was already badly burned.
“I was so hot. I was so scared and sore. I didn’t realise what was happening,” says Esona.
He was rushed from his local hospital to the Emergency Centre at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, where medical teams gave him the urgent treatment he needed before being admitted for further intensive care treatment and recovery in the Hospital’s Burns Unit. Esona woke up surrounded by his worried family.
He spent three weeks in hospital and has since recovered well.
“The doctors and nurses love me here. They take care of me, so I can play soccer again,” says Esona.
EMERGENCY CENTRE UPGRADE IS UNDERWAY
Esona is one of 250 000 young patients admitted to the Hospital every year. Most of these patients are admitted through the Emergency Centre in need of urgent medical or surgical care.
In April 2019, thanks to the many contributions we received from you and many other generous donors, we broke ground on a project to expand and upgrade the Emergency Centre. The upgrade and expansion of the Emergency Centre will improve the personalised care and flow of patients and healthcare professionals through this extremely busy area of the Hospital. This means more patients can receive the life-saving care sooner – and in the best possible conditions – ultimately improving their chances of recovery and rehabilitation. It will also enable medical staff to offer an even better experience for little patients and their families who come through its doors.
Most notably, the project also includes a burns treatment room, a calming room and a safe space for victims of violence — all spaces designed with the safety and well-being of the young patients in mind. Phase 1 of the project is fully underway and due for completion in July 2020. Phase 2 is set to complete in October 2021.
The progress made on the upgrade has been a direct and tangible result of the donations you’ve made. Your generosity enables us to care for vulnerable children like Esona every day. In many cases, the Emergency Centre is their best hope of surviving acute injuries or other potentially life-threatening medical conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our heartfelt and sincere appreciation extends to each one of our loyal donors for your ongoing financial support. With your help, R71 379 542 has been raised for this project to date. Please continue to support us to raise the outstanding balance of R47 620 458. The Centre will give children a second chance and your donation gives you a chance to leave your mark on life.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR TIRELESS HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Please keep our dedicated healthcare workers in your thoughts: In response to the growing coronavirus pandemic, the Hospital is working determinedly to ensure that the Emergency Centre and Wards remain as safe as possible for patients, families and staff. We deeply appreciate all healthcare workers for their dedication and resilience during this challenging time. Whilst we need to stay at home, they bravely go out every day to save the lives of our family, friends and communities. We salute you.
SURGE SEASON
The Hospital is also in the midst of the ‘paediatric surge season,’ the daunting period from November to May where several children are admitted suffering from gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. These illnesses are largely caused by overcrowding and lack of clean water and sanitation. With their weakened immune systems, children will be even more vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus. We’re thinking of you and wish you all the best.
