Just what the doctor ordered for July 18

WITH their huge case loads and long hours, many doctors will not be able to take 67 minutes out of their day to help the less fortunate next week for Mandela Day.

But one young Joburg medical professional has come up with a novel way to do something that counts.

The idea struck Dr Caris Price one day as she was driving to work.

“Thinking about Nelson Mandela gets me so emotional. The thought of him and his ability to help others inspires me.”

Last year Price established an initiative to produce “46664 NMD (Nelson Mandela Day” scrubs for doctors in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day on July 18.

“I was listening to 94.7 FM, when they played something advertising Mandela Day being around the corner and the avenues in which one could participate.

“My heart bubbled over with pride at how Mandela somehow continued to provoke action and spread love, even after his passing.”

Price, 27, said she felt strongly that for each South African, over and above heeding his call to be the “great generation”, it was also about honouring the invaluable love that Mandela applied to everything that he did.

“Few could ever hope to live with such compassion, strength of spirit, integrity and ability to dream big and then realise those dreams.”

Price is in the second year of her internship at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

Each pair of scrubs sellsfor R360, which includes a R50donation that goes to a charity.

Doctors are also encouraged to donate more.

Price said this year that she and her team aim to raise R15 000.

“The plan is for the money to be used by the paediatrics department at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

“You can also donate money without having to purchase a pair of scrubs.”

The scrubs come in 12 colours, including burgundy, raspberry and cherry red.

Each pair has the “46664 Nelson Mandela Day” badge on the right and a pocket on which the doctor’s name can be embroidered. Scrub caps are selling for R30.

Price said her long-term goal is for a million scrubs to be sold so the money can be used, through a trust fund, to meet many more needs.