Children must be protected from preventable ills, such as malnutrition, foetal alcohol syndrome and violence, so that the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital can focus on conditions that cannot be prevented, says former finance minister Trevor Manuel.
Mr Manuel was the special guest speaker at the hospital’s annual day of remembrance on Friday last week.
“The children’s hospital exists today as an act of remembrance, it is a great paediatric facility, and with the help of society it can help with fighting health issues,” he said.
More than 200 hundred guests, including family members of World War II veterans, members of the South African Legion of Military Veterans (SA Legion), the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH), the South African Sea Cadets and Nelson Mandela Artillery Pipes and Drums were part of the event.
The hospital’s acting CEO, Mitzi Franken, said they were grateful to the World War II veterans who had contributed two days of their salary to start the children’s hospital, which had become a living memorial for fallen soldiers.
“This has become an iconic hospital in paediatric health care on the African continent and continues to provide outstanding health care to over 250 000 children that come to us each year.”
The day’s commemoration included a poem, Aftermath, by UCT student Jamie McNally, while the Fezeka High School choir sang the National Anthem.
Wynberg Boys’ High School bandmaster Peter Catzavalos played The Last Post, flags were lowered and there was a two-minute silence. Then the flags were raised to the call of Reveille and wreaths were laid.
MOTH provincial Old Bill Ricky de Wet said the day of remembrance was important to their organisation. “We remember our fallen soldiers who gave up part of their pay, and it is amazing to see what the children’s hospital has become today, and we can also thank the trustees for their support.”
SA Legion regional chairman Peter Muirhead said it was important that the soldiers’ sacrifices were not forgotten.
“We remember all our fallen comrades, and the establishment of this hospital with the help of the soldiers is amazing as they have seen the atrocities of war, and this hospital helps the children of today with a better life.”
