The Groote Schuur Hospital just opened its newly remodelled Neonatal Unit thanks to a contribution made in memory of doctor that once worked there.
Cape Town, Western Cape – The newly revamped Neonatal Unit at Groote Schuur received a helpful donation to complete the project. A UK-based South African contributed towards the upgrade in memory of his late grandfather Dr Jack Abelsohn.
Dr Abelsohn was the first anaesthetist to be appointed at Groote Schuur in 1938. The hospital holds a very special place in the Abelsohn family’s heart.
The new Neonatal Unit building project was started in November 2016 and was completed in December 2018. The entire project came in within the budget.
The Newborns Groote Schuur Trust secured an R5m contribution towards phase one of the project from the Western Cape Department of Health, which
The Children’s Hospital Trust matched the R5-million contribution that the Western Cape Department of Health allocated to the Newborns Groote Schuur Trust for the remodel making the total a whopping R10-million.
The remodel has meant that the Neonatal unit is now double the size and meaning the spaces between the incubators are more accessible for doctors, nurses and family. All the amenities have been upgraded, the walls painted brightly and there is now an X-ray room onsite.
There is even a new family comfort room to help families that need to spend a little more time at the unit. According to The South African, the space will help with infection control thus keeping the prem and sick babies safe from further infection or illness.
“The Neonatal Nursery at Groote Schuur Hospital has recently undergone a major refurbishment resulting in a world-class facility being available for our tiny babies. The entire neonatal team is incredibly excited and grateful for the extremely generous donation that made this all possible.” – Professor Mike Harrisson, The Head of Groote Schuur’s Neonatal Department
To honour Dr Jack Abelsohn, a plaque was placed on the wall of the new unit.
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