"State of the art", "world class", these are some of the adjectives used to describe the impressive brand new R14.5m Paediatric Burns Unit at Ngwelezana Hospital that was officially opened yesterday at King Cetshwayo District.

The facility, which caters for children aged 1 to 12 years, was made possible primarily by Mnet's 'Carte Blanche Making a Difference Trust' and its other partners such as the mining and metal company South 32 and several others.

Dr Sandile Tshabalala, the KZN Department of Health's Chief Director of Clinical Support Services, received the facility on behalf of the MEC, Ms Nomagugu Simelane- Zulu. Dr Tshabalala expressed his gratitude to the donors

"Thank you all for making sure that this happened. It is critical that we are opening this Unit at this time of the year because when winter comes, people who reside in rural traditionally tend to experience more burns, so choosing to have a Burns Unit at this institution is one of the best decisions ever made."

The Unit was completed in April this year and consists of 22 beds divided as follows; 10 for sub-acute, 10 for high care and two for isolation.

Dr Tshabalala continued to point out that the Unit would also cater to the needs of children in surrounding areas since Ngwelezane Hospital sees to the healthcare needs of not only those in the King Cetshwayo District but also those in Zululand and UMkhanyakude.

He also urged further collaborations between private and public organisations. "Our MEC looks at you as partners. The view she holds is one that says health is not a Health Department issue, nor is health a government issue. But health, the health of a society, is a societal matter. So any and everybody who can contribute towards making health better is welcome and is a partner to the Department of Health."