P/Bag X502, Tugela Ferry 3010
Tel: +27 (0) 33 493 0004
Fax: +27 (0) 33 493 0828
Email: sindisiwe.sibiya@kznhealth.gov.za
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CHURCH OF SCOTLAND HOSPITAL P/Bag X502, Tugela Ferry 3010 Tel: +27 (0) 33 493 0004 Fax: +27 (0) 33 493 0828 Email: sindisiwe.sibiya@kznhealth.gov.za |
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Broken Wheelchairs ? Are you aware of the COSH wheelchair repair and maintenance project? |
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The wheelchair repair projects were started in 1999 in conjunction with an N.G.O.
(Flemish funding project). The aim was to empower disabled people to repair
wheelchairs and assistive devices they are using. The projects were not viable
or sustainable however, especially in the poorer areas, as people were unable to
pay for repairs done, so no income was generated. When a 2003 audit was done by
the Department of Health, it was recommended that the D.O.H. assist in funding
for salaries and transport for the people involved in the project. The D.O.H.
thus arranged a service agreement with the D.P.S.A., and pilot projects were
started on a six-month trial basis.
C.O.S.H. was chosen as one of the pilot sites, and the two people working at our project are Thuthukani Sithole and Nkosinamandla Zungu. They are to be found in the old Physiotherapy playroom (between female medical and paediatric wards) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They do repairs and maintenance on all wheelchairs. If the patient is receiving
a government grant, or is unemployed, these repairs are done free of charge. If
the chair is not repairable, it will be replaced. The project will also be
joining the therapy teams visiting all the clinics served by C.O.S.H., thus
taking the service to the community. |
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Disclaimer | KZN Department of Health
