The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Faculty of Health Sciences recently made a generous donation of wheelchairs to the Khula Natural Health Centre in St Lucia. This donation follows the Faculty’s achievement as a runner-up at the DUT’s Engagement Showcase and Pitching Awards 2024.
The Faculty of Health Sciences Community Engagement Committee, chaired by the Deputy Dean, Professor Pavitra Pillay and representatives from all the faculty departments, contributed to this initiative. The donation was funded using the prize money awarded to the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), a clear demonstration of inter-disciplinary collaboration for a common cause. This effort underscores DUT’s commitment to community engagement and addresses the pressing need for accessible healthcare solutions in South Africa. According to a recent study, approximately 2% of the South African population over five years old rely on wheelchairs, highlighting the importance of contributions like this.
Prof Pillay, speaking about the initiative, said, “We are thrilled to have won the R10,000 at the 2024 DUT Engagement Showcase and Pitching Awards, which we used to procure much-needed wheelchairs for the Khula Wellness Centre in St Lucia. This NGO plays a vital role in providing healthcare to over 360,000 patients, with women, children, and the elderly being the primary beneficiaries. We were pleased to deliver the two wheelchairs, knowing they will make a significant difference in the lives of those who rely on the Centre’s care.”
According to Prof Gugu Mchunu, the Executive Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences, this project is one example of DUT being an engaged university. She expressed that the Khula Wellness Centre started working with Homeopathy Department in 2019. As part of the outreach to rural communities, in 2023 the faculty identified the need to involve all health sciences departments in this project, and the results have been amazing. “We are grateful to the center directors, Drs Nicoline Potgieter and Manuel Steiner, for welcoming our staff and students to the centre,” she said. The donation is part of the faculties’ broader vision to support local communities, improve quality of life, and empower individuals with mobility challenges. By focusing on making healthcare more accessible, Prof Mchunu said that the faculty is working to alleviate some of the daily struggles faced by individuals who lack mobility aids.
During the handover ceremony, Mr Zamani Mayeza, Community Engagement Co-ordinator from the Faculty of Health Sciences, expressed his pride in the initiative, noting the impact on the community. “The wheelchairs were well received by the Khula Clinic and the community. The community was absolutely overjoyed to receive this much needed equipment. It was a truly successful day as we were able to bring light into their lives. They were so delighted,” said Mayeza.
The Faculty of Health Sciences is already exploring ways to expand community-based projects to other communities, considering both immediate and future needs for improving healthcare access. In alignment with SDG3, the faculty aims to offer more engagements such as these, to provide its students with similar learning opportunities, contributing to solving societal health problems. Students are able to gain a deeper understanding around the context of socio-cultural dynamics which are not usually found in traditional classrooms.
“The Khula community’s response has been incredibly positive, and we’ve seen first-hand how these small gestures can make a huge difference in the lives of those who need it most. We look forward to continuing our work with Khula and other local initiatives to bring more support where it’s most needed,” Mayeza concluded.
This successful donation reinforces the faculties’ vision of creating a lasting impact and fostering a spirit of unity and shared responsibility for the betterment of local communities. As part of its ongoing community engagement efforts and in alignment with the faculty’s research focus area: Global Health and Sustainability, FHS plans to continue to engage in additional projects where it is able to provide meaningful and impactful contributions while continuing to provide valuable support to those in need across South Africa.
Picture: Faculty of Health Sciences handing over wheelchairs to the Khula Natural Health Centre.
Phumeza Msongelwa
