Groote Schuur launches trust to ensure it is a pioneer
GROOTE Schuur Hospital has officially launched its primary fund-raising platform, the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust.
Known for a world first human-tohuman heart transplant by Dr Christiaan Barnard in 1967, the hospital has continued to be an epicentre of innovation with 35 groundbreaking procedures culminating in 12 world firsts, five African firsts, and 18 South African firsts.
These medical firsts, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, times of enormous financial strait, thus prompting the need for a fund-raising portal.
Groote Schuur Hospital CEO Dr Bhavna Patel said: “Creating a trust for Groote Schuur has been a dream of ours for many years. The hospital management, staff and all who interact with our healthcare services are beyond excited for it finally to come into fruition – and we pray for the public’s support.”
Groote Schuur Hospital was officially opened in 1938 and is internationally known as a training ground for some of the country’s best doctors, surgeons and nurses.
GSH Trust executive director Kristy Evans, said: “The trust is very keen to do a ‘launch’ event during the course of the first half of 2022 – however, this will depend on Covid-19 waves, etc. We would very much like to do a public event that profiles the amazing work and innovations at the hospital, that also tandems as fund-raiser.”
Evans said the trust was initiated to raise money for the hospital and sustain and enhance its legacy as a hospital of medical firsts.
“Our mandate is to enable pioneering world-class healthcare for all by raising funds for state-of-the-art medical equipment and treatments, as well as innovative projects and programmes at Groote Schuur Hospital. We want to ensure excellence in terms of what services/procedures/ programmes can be provided so that patients have access to the best possible care available,” said Evans.
Just last week, the hospital launched a first for the public sector Diabetic Centre and is one of the trust’s priority projects for 2022 to ensure it is equipped with cutting-edge medical equipment and can provide training for thousands of healthcare workers.
For more information, visit www.gshtrust.co.za