New Paediatric Unit for King Edward VIII Hospital

In July 2008 Carte Blanche requested that King Edward VIII hospital participate in their 20th Birthday celebration “Making a Difference Campaign” where they were giving back to the community. King Edward VIII Hospital is the only institution in KZN that was approached by Carte Blanche to take part in this Campaign. Among other hospitals that participated are Johannesburg General, Kimberly Children’s Hospital, Charlotte Maxenge and Free State Hospital. When we agreed to take part, they came to film our Paediatric and Neonatal Departments; where they showcased challenges that these two departments work under.

After televising this, corporate sectors where urged to forward their pledges towards making a difference. We have since received over R3m worth of medical equipment for the Paediatric and Neonatal Units.

The initial plan was to renovate our current Paediatric Outpatients Department (POPD). However upon the visit by the BHP Billiton and Carte Blanche team, it was decided that it would cost more to renovate the current building than building a new one from scratch. A site was then identified for the news Paediatric Unit (outpatient).

BHP Billiton pledged R20m towards building this unit and the name of the unit will “BHP Paediatric Centre of Excellence”. The 20th June 2011 was the big day for the management and staff of King Edward VIII hospital  when the sod turning ceremony took place. The building  is expected to be handed over on the 15 December 2011.

Words cannot express the appreciation and the excitement this has brought to not only the Paediatric/Neonatal staff but to the hospital staff as a whole.

Article by Nontobeko Ndlela, King Edward VIII hospital PRO

Photographs by Themba Mngomezulu