GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The 20th AGM of the Camdeboo Hospice was held on 20 May.
The chairman’s report gave some interesting statistics about patient care, which is the core “business” of Hospice.
Currently there are 158 patients from Jansenville, Aberdeen, Klipplaat and Graaff-Reinet on the books, with about two thirds of them being in Graaff-Reinet. During the last year, 236 patients have received care from the dedicated team of Hospice workers.
The Drug Resistant Tuberculosis programme, which was funded by TB South Africa and USAID, ran from May 2017 until the end of March 2018. From this programme, 24 patients are now registered on the home-based care program and continue to receive care and support from Camdeboo Hospice. TB awareness and screening of contacts and community members is still taking place.
Since February 2018, Camdeboo Hospice has been receiving funding from Germany through the Foundation for Professional Development for the HIV counselling and testing services in ten towns in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality. Screening is also done for communicable and non-communicable diseases such as TB, diabetes, and high blood-pressure. Anyone tested positive is referred immediately to their nearest primary health care facility for follow up.
The main funding sources for the 2017/2018 financial year were the National Lottery Commission, the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Old Mutual Foundation, African Palliative Care Association (through True Colours), GoldRush, TB South Africa Project, and Iqraa Trust, Durban.
Iqraa Trust donated R150 000 as a contribution towards a vehicle which is desperately needed for our team to provide services in the outlying towns. Further funding is required to supplement the costs of this need.
Ongoing income-generating projects for the year included Hospice Honey sales, cake and book sales, weekly jumble sales, and Friends of Hospice subscriptions. The 2012 “Message in a Bottle” project is still bearing fruit.
Events held during the year included the very successful Pick a Box, White Elephant Stall, Stoep Stories and the recent Hike and Hobble.
Financial donations were received from various businesses, both local and national, schools and churches.
There are 25 full-time members of staff, and one part-time member.
Of the full-time staff, the vast majority are for patient care, with only five administrative members of staff.
The Nursing Services Manager, Professional Nurse Loretta Wiehahn, successfully completed a short course in Palliative Care during 2017. Her diligence and knowledge led to her passing this course cum laude.
During the past year Hospice lost Staff Nurse Jeanette Hartney and volunteer Katie Mdudumani, both of whom succumbed to their illness. Their loyalty and dedication to Hospice was much appreciated and they will be sorely missed.
The Chairman thanked all staff for their dedication and hard work during the past year.
At the election for board members, Hanfi Neuhoff, Eira Maasdorp, Gerald Buisman, Lee Visser, Val Loock, Yvonne Drummond, Brian Hough, Sally Solomon, Ellen Koeberg were all re-elected as community members.
The office bearers for the 2018/2019 financial year were elected at the first meeting following the AGM. Brian Hough was elected as chairman, with Gerald Buisman as his deputy. Lee Visser will be the treasurer, and Yvonne Drummond, secretary.
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