Help for the frail
2008-07-10
Jules Krige
MANY people who get infected with HIV and TB lose all hope for recovery during their illness. Some people have no-one to take care of them when they are at their weakest. In Paarl East, the Luthando Frail Care Centre is a place of hope for all who suffer from HIV and TB. Most of the patients who arrive at the centre were transferred directly from the local hospitals like Sonstraal, which is situated next door to Luthando. The care centre provides beds and much needed medication and can take care of up to 70 patients at a time. As soon as the patients arrive at the centre, they start receiving intensive care which consists of medication in addition to a healthy diet. Some patients cannot afford to pay for their own medication so the centre provides medication, such as anti-retrovirals, to them which will speed up their recovery. The centre also provides a variety of services such as 24-hour nursing for terminal patients at their homes. Many of the patients recover from their illness after being given the attention they require and are then allowed to return to their homes when they are discharged. Luthando Care Centre is subsidised by the Department of Health, but still struggles to make ends meet. Local community members and NGO’s often assist the centre and together they help the community of Drakenstein to fight against the scourge of HIV and TB. Along with her staff, Sister Mildred Joyi runs the care centre like clockwork. The staff are very passionate about the work that they do. Patients who are in recovery can often be seen smiling at visitors with the gratitude they have for the staff of Luthando visible on their faces. Flip Bartman, one of the patients at the centre says: “These people helped me to get well. When I arrived here, I was very very sick, but I was nursed back to health in two months.” Sister Mildred Joyi says: “We welcome anyone who is terminally ill or suffers from HIV and TB to come to us and we will help to provide them with the medical attention they require. “Here we do our utmost to help our patients to recover, but we cannot do it alone. “With the community’s help we can continue to provide this much needed service and we welcome donations, because every little bit helps when it comes to saving people’s lives.” For further information on how the Luthando Frail Care Centre can be helped, contact Sister Joyi at 021-862-7226 or email agape@lando.co.za.
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