Mahikeng- Children from impoverished communities admitted at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital Pediatric Ward were treated to a special early Christmas lunch as National Council of Provinces(NCOP) Chairperson,Thandi Modise presented them with packages of festive goodies and gifts on Friday.

Speaking after presenting gifts to sixty-two children, Modise who is patron of the Thandi Ruth Modise Health Development said that efforts need to be redoubled to speed up access to land for food production and the use of land that is lying fallow  to address the grinding poverty that is affecting the most vulnerable in our society.

“Malnutrition that affect the physical development of children from our poorer communities had compelled the trust to support some beyond their hospital stay,” Modise emphasized who was accompanied by trustees.

She said that the trust is proud to be associated with improvement of conditions for a healthy environment that promote speedy recovery and good health of the young ones admitted to the ward and safe birth deliveries in the maternity ward.

“The contribution of donors and individuals who support our cause to advance the legacy of Nelson Mandela has made an immeasurable difference. We count on them as we set our sights on adding educational toys to the playroom and expanding our intervention to other public health facilities in the province and across the country, ” Modise underscored.

The appreciation of the CEO of the hospital,Adrian Lourens for the helping hands to improve service delivery was echoed by a happy Tshegofatso Mogotsi whose infant daughter was among the recipients of the gifts.

Since the ward was adopted by the former Premier of the North West Province after the 2011 Mandela Day, the Trust she has set up has repaired air conditioning system in the maternity ward, provided blankets, sheets, pillows and painted comic characters on the wall of the paediatric ward through funds mobilised during golf fund raising and gala events.

In addition, the ward received an industrial washing machine, tumble dryer and new linen to improve conditions without relying on the health department’s budget and state funding.
-TDN
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