By Nangamso Mabindla
23 April 2004

THE IKWEZI Lokusa Wellness Centre for HIV/Aids patients in East London received a major boost with a donation on Wednesday, 21 April, of R1-million worth of equipment organised by the Arcadia Rotary Club.

In charge of the club's Romex programme, which aims to donate medical equipment to hospitals, hospices and clinics, Dr Hank Kayser used his overseas connections to solicit used equipment from the US and the Netherlands.

According to Dr Kayser they donated the equipment to medical facilities around the country but East London hospitals got first preference, with Frere Hospital and others getting beds. The Ikwezi centre received three easy chairs, six upright chairs, 20 boxes of surgical and medical instruments, a trolley and 26 boxes of quick-wipe cloths.

Kayser said the Ikwezi Lokusa Wellness Centre had become the club's top priority after the centre's Dr Nonkosi Ngumbela had approached them for assistance.

President-elect of the club, Dr Geoff Howes, echoed Dr Kayser's sentiments. "Those people volunteer to help others live a good and healthy life; their warmth towards human beings was the main reason we're donating this equipment. I'd like to encourage them in their fight against the scourge of HIV/Aids," Howes said, adding that the club hoped to work closely with community-building projects in the future.

"We're truly blessed to have people who appreciate our efforts. On behalf of the patients and staff at the centre I'd like to thank the Rotary Club. In situations like these, words fail me," said a tearful Ngumbela.

The assistance also showed that people in Buffalo City were committed to fight the scourge, said her assistant, Dr Lumka Mkhize, who called on the public to assist in putting "this disease to sleep, and create a better future for generations after us".