Tshilidzini Hospital following in the footsteps of the Great Nelson Mandela – 2016
In the words of one of our greatest leaders “Our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must produce an actual South African reality that will reinforce humanity’s belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in nobility of the human soul, and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all” – Nelson Mandela
This was the undertone for this year’s Nelson Mandela Day at Tshilidzini Regional Hospital, in the heart of Vhembe District.
LINC first commemorated Nelson Mandela Day in 2015 at Zebediela Hospital. This year, Tshilidzini Regional Hospital was the chosen site for the LINC team to once again, in true LINC style, roll up their sleeves, kick off their shoes, grab their buckets and brooms and leave a trail of sparkles as we moved through the KMC ward.
The LINC team grew from a two-member team at last year’s Mandela Day to a formidable and enthusiastic team of more than 10 people comprising nurses, doctors, MCWH managers, provincial clinical specialist team (PCST) members, cleaners, artisans, to name just a few of the hands on deck that joined the LINC team this year.
Preparations for the day began months before, with the team spirit growing with each passing day, and reaching an all time high the morning of Nelson Mandela Day on the 18th July 2016. Tshilidzini Hospital in Vhembe District of Limpopo delivers 5418 (2015) babies a year (2014) and boasts a fairly large KMC unit, which lacked in an inviting and homely ambiance. Its team of young doctors and nurses are exemplary of innovative leaders who see opportunities in all challenges, which explains their request for LINC to support them in transforming their KMC unit, as part of Mandela Day. LINC was more than up for the challenge, and after mobilizing a highly enthusiastic team, applied their cleaning and decorative skills, which did not leave much to be desired, if we may say so ourselves. The team also became engrossed in newborn hat making as they happily knitted and crochet away, a practice which has been sustained by the mothers in the KMC unit.
After turning 67 minutes for Mandela into 7 hours for Mandela, the results were remarkable! Most rewarding of all were the faces of the moms, which shone brighter than the north star itself, as they entered their new temporary home.
Some of the items donated by LINC to the KMC unit, made possible by the generous support of ELMA Philanthropies, included a washing machine, television set for mothers to watch educational videos on the care and development of newborns, microwave, fridge, and tables and chairs.
The Clinical Manager and CEO of Tshilidzini Hospital were in ore with the final results of the day’s hard labour, and expressed their great appreciation to the entire team for realizing a vision that the hospital had for the KMC unit.
Well done to the entire team that gave of their time to create an environment befitting any mom and premature baby required to remain in hospital away from home for extended periods of time. Tata Madiba would be proud!
