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Home | International | 12 April 2012 - Cape Town charity receives 14 syringe drivers thanks to Club initiative


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Photo shows Frank Taylor of the Rotary Club of Hatfield (left), Bob Jenner OBE of the Rotary Club of Basingstoke and Dieter Shaw of the Rotary Club of Amersham with the consignment of syringe drivers.

The Cape Town based medical charity ‘Abundant Life’ has received its first batch of 14 Syringe Drivers today.

The syringe drivers are automated injection devices that deliver a prescribed quantity of palliative medicine at set intervals without the need for a nurse. They are donated by UK hospices due to the need for new ones that comply with the latest Health & Safety regulations.

These units, a small part of over 90 pieces pledged from various UK hospices so far, passed to Rotarians Dieter Shaw (Amersham Rotary Club) and Frank Taylor (Hatfield Rotary Club) by Rtn Bob Jenner OBE of the Basingstoke Rotary Club (District 1110) originated from David Monkman, Director, St Michael's Hospice, Basingstoke and are part of a Matching Grant project that includes the provision of medical equipment to enable terminally ill uninsured patients to live out their final days at home.

The grant application, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Amersham District 1260 (D1260) and the Rotary Club of Claremont, Cape Town, District 9350, also includes the purchase of a vehicle to transport patients and palliative care staff.
 
Started by Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar for D1260 2010/11
Dr Lindi van Niekerk, ‘Abundant Life’ aims to ease the pressure on beds by enabling patients to receive treatment at home. Lindi’s presentation to various D1260 clubs has inspired some outstanding fundraising and, with the help of D1260 funds and Claremont’s matching contribution, bringing the total grant sum to £40,000.

Palliative care was a concept not available in South Africa’s public health hospitals and Dr van Niekerk’s ground-breaking work will enable the roll-out of this major medical project in many Cape Town hospitals.
 

By Dieter Shaw
Chair, International Committee
Rotary Club of Amersham