The Zoutpansberg Private Hospital in Makhado (Louis Trichardt)’s ambitious Mandela Day project on 18 July is around the corner, but sponsorships are still needed.

The hospital’s plan was to provide 10 free operations to 10 patients in need of urgent eye surgery. They indicated that an 11^th patient has since been selected and that this patient’s costs now need to be covered.  The patients are all from different racial and cultural backgrounds and have already been identified. These operations will be performed free of charge by two eye surgeons, while the services of the anaesthetist are also free. The hospital itself will supply the theatre and theatre personnel at no cost.

A major stumbling block was the cost of the initial 10 theatre packs needed for the operations. In this regard, Alcon Pharmaceuticals has donated R27 750 to help pay for the 10 in-theatre Phaco packs at a cost of R2 770 per pack. In addition, Clouds’ End and Mountain Inn Hotel have offered to sponsor the meals of the patients, surgeons, anaesthetist and theatre staff. The two hotels will also be sponsoring the hospitality tent for the patients’ caregivers, as well as accommodation for the doctors and caregivers who need to sleep over for the follow-up clinic the next day.

The hospital also indicated this week that the money needed to cover the theatre and ward medicine has been donated by the Louis Trichardt Rotary Club. More sponsorships are, however, needed for the 11^th patient.

Persons wishing to contribute financially to the project are urged to do so. “You can donate any amount, even if it is just R10. We’ll add all the donations and purchase the necessary items from the total amount,” says Ms Anneke Stroebel of the Zoutpansberg Private Hospital. She adds that the public is also welcome to support the project by sponsoring their services, such as helping out by providing transport for the patients to and from the hospital. She has indicated that donations need not necessarily be made before 18 July but can still be done at the end of the month or whenever is convenient. Food sponsorships are also welcome.

For more information, phone Stroebel at Tel 015 516 0720 extension 6 or 083 326 6073. The banking details if one wants to make an electronic transfer or pay the money into their account directly are as follows: Standard Bank, branch code 052549, account no. 330190849, current account, reference Mandela Day. The reference is important, so that the money can be allocated correctly.