Phoenix
3 August 2007
The Department of Health's Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital Thuthuzela Care
Centre, which was sponsored by Afrisun's Sibaya Casino and Entertainment
Kingdom, was officially opened today, 3 August, by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for
Health, Ms Neliswa P Nkonyeni.
Sibaya has invested R2.2 million into building and equipping this
much-needed facility in Phoenix as one of the company's corporate social
investment projects to assist communities in the Inanda-Ntuzuma-KwaMashu (INK)
areas.
The Department of Health regards rape as one of the most devastating
personal traumas. Many victims feel as if their lives have been shattered and
that their psychological and physical privacy has been invaded. The emotional
scars can take months and sometimes years to heal.
"Besides providing the actual building structure, we have also been able to
assist with providing interior furniture, furnishings and other fittings in
order for this centre to operate effectively," explains Chairman of Sibaya's
CSI committee, Breakdown Mfenqele.
The centre will be staffed by trained personnel who will assist people who
have been victims of crime, rape and other abuse. Set aside from the main
buildings of the hospital, the centre will enable those people in need of
dedicated support, counselling and treatment to have a more intimate one-on-one
experience with health-workers.
The crisis centre houses a waiting area, reception, a counselling room, two
examination rooms, ablutions, a staff room and offices. Victims of abuse will
be referred to this centre for specialised treatment in a calm and controlled
environment away from the busy casualty department.
It is ironic that at the time when support is most needed, many rape
survivors feel alone and let down by loved ones, friends and institutions that
are there to protect and support them. Caregivers need to offer the victim
support and reassurance and to educate and support the family to help
facilitate the recovery of the survivor. It is advisable to refer the victim
for trauma counselling where these services are available. Through counselling,
the victim can work through the experience and begin to view herself as a
survivor who can still lead a happy and independent life.
Speaking the opening function, General Manager of Sibaya Casino and
Entertainment Kingdom, Melville Vogel said "This facility will be a reminder to
us all, as to how important it is for business to be involved with the
community. We can no longer operate in isolation, and we need to be involved is
helping those in need. We trust the care given by personnel at this centre will
go a long way to help psychologically and physically heal abuse victims."
The MEC for Health, Ms Neliswa Nkonyeni, in her keynote address said that
"Sensitive and empathic management by caregivers often helps the victim feel
validated, understood and cared for. Unfortunately, many trauma survivors
undergo "secondary traumatisation" when caregivers, police and others to whom
the trauma survivor turns for emotional, legal, financial, medical or other
assistance respond in a negative or insensitive manner. Many victims perceive
this secondary trauma as worse than the trauma itself as it leaves them feeling
betrayed by those that are designated "caregivers" in society."
The MEC added that the centre will service victims of abuse from the Inanda,
Ntuzuma and KwaMashu area which happens to be one of the Presidential Nodes.
Its existence should thus be looked at as a contribution to building a better
life for our people in South Africa.
Enquiries:
Mr Leon Mbangwa
Cell: 083 459 8695
Tell: 031 201 1650
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
3 August 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzn.gov.za)
