GEORGE NEWS - George Hospital received a donation of condemned linen from Fancourt condemned duvets, sheets and pillow cases that have been used to manufacture hospital scrubs and shoe covers to supplement the hospital’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospital staff.
"The high-quality cotton linen is ideal to manufacture durable and comfortable clothing to protect our health care workers on the front-line," said hospital CEO Michael Vonk.
Azaria, a local non-profit organisation partner of the George Hospital Trust, has a dedicated team of women who have worked hard to sew the protective clothing in record time. Azaria provides skills training and job creation opportunities for those seeking an opportunity to escape cycles of vulnerability. The George Hospital Facility Board has also contributed towards the cost of the project by paying for the labour and elastics.
On Friday 17 July, the hospital received the first delivery of personal protective clothing, which will be worn by front line staff caring for patients in the dedicated Covid-19 wards at George Hospital.
"This project demonstrates the community spirit of the residents of George, who are all working as a collective to control the spread of Covid-19," said a grateful Vonk.
Pillow cases will also be used to sew cloth masks as part of the #masks4george project. This project was initiated by the George Hospital and aims to raise funds to purchase and distribute cloth masks to the most vulnerable members of the population in George.
The objective is to urgently supply 100 000 masks to those who cannot afford to buy one.
Shery-Lee Bruinders (left) and Evelyn Schaap showing some of the high-quality cotton sheets, ideal to manufacture durable and comfortable clothing to protect health care workers on the front line.
A group of residents from the Groenkloof retirement village, also known as the 'Groenkloof Masketeers' have volunteered to use some of the donated linen to sew more masks. The Musketeers have already sewed and donated more than 6 000 masks towards this project.
"As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads, more than ever, we now need everyone to wear a face mask, maintain social distance and practise good hand hygiene," said Vonk.
Persons who would like to help with the project, can visit the George Hospital Trust website, or find and like their Facebook page.
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