Trust offers medical care to those in need

Patients in need of financial assistance can get help from the Howick Community Medical Charitable Trust.

Founded in 20007, by the late Dr John Hyslop, the Trust was established to enable ‘financially challenged’ people in the local community to access quality medical care.

“Many folk do not appear to be aware of the existence of the Trust and the trustees hope that, through the medium of Village

Talk, all sections of our society will become more familiar with this charity,” said chairman of the trustees, Nigel Porter.

“The objectives of the Trust are to provide medical procedures to those who do not belong to a medical aid society, and who are unable to pay the costs of their own operations, such as hip and knee replacements, cataract removal and dental treatment

“All residents of the Kwazulu-natal Midlands are eligible to apply for medical assistance.”

Porter – who is supported by fellow trustees Dr Pieter Duys, Dr James Mcallister, Rosemary Norton, Melanie Porter, Dr Randhir Puranwasi and Dr Dale Thomas - added that strict criteria are in place and that each patient had to be recommended to the Trust by his or her general practitioner.

“The Trust has a committee of five doctors who assess the need of each patient, based on the application forms which are available from our website – www. hcmct.org – and have to be completed and then submitted to the committee for their scrutiny.

“If approval is granted, then the patient will receive the medical care which he, or she, needs and the Trust will pay the costs of the necessary medical care.”

The Howick Community Medical Charitable Trust is a public benefit organisation and like many in the sector needs to support of the wider community to continue operating.

Supporters can do this by volunteering their time or skills, or by making a donation. Section 18A income tax certificates are available for those who make financial contributions.

If you would like to find out more about the Trust or to access assistance please contact 082 555 6862 or email howickcmctrust@ gmail.com