Red Cross breaks ground on new orthopaedic unit
Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital has broken ground on a R110 million orthopaedic unit.
Hospital staff and project donors were among the 50 people at a sod-turning ceremony at the hospital on Wednesday April 17.
The new 30-bed unit will have four isolation rooms, physiotherapy facilities, a waiting area and upgraded surgery theatres, according to Children’s Hospital Trust CEO Chantel Cooper.
“Our goal is to have this orthopaedic unit completed in a year’s time,” she said.
Hospital CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo said the unit would consolidate all the hospital’s orthopaedic services at the hospital.
Previously, only emergency orthopaedic procedures had been done at Red Cross while rehabilitative and more minor surgical procedures had been done at the Maitland Cottage Children's Orthopaedic Hospital, she said.
This new unit is expected to benefit more than 1 400 clubfoot patients and do 1000 surgeries annually, according to Ms Cooper.
Josh Rinkwest, 14, of Lotus River, is just one of the patients who have benefited from the children’s orthopaedic services.
Josh was born prematurely at 27 weeks old, and five days after his birth, he had to have his right leg amputated at Vincent Palotti hospital.
Josh’s mother, René Rinkwest, said the umbilical cord had been wrapped around his leg, cutting off circulation and preventing the development of his leg.
A Red Cross orthopaedic surgeon had performed the amputation at Vincent Palotti after which, Josh had been transferred to the children’s hospital for further treatment, she said.
“Red Cross has been absolutely amazing, and the staff always made us feel comfortable.”
The hospital helped Josh again when, at the age of 7, he needed two operations after he fell off a jungle gym and broke his right wrist. The procedures were done at the Maitland hospital under the supervision of Red Cross’s Dr Stewart Dix-Peek.
Three years ago, Josh needed a further amputation on his right leg as it was dislocating while he was wearing a prosthesis.
“Josh has always gotten the best care, and the staff have always been phenomenal,” said Ms Rinkwest.
Josh said he enjoyed playing golf and boxing and one day he hoped to have a career that would make it possible for his parents to retire early.
Visit childrenshospitaltrust.org.za or call 021 686 7860 if you would like to help raise funds for the new unit.
