Anyone who knows me will know that we had a bit of a fright over the weekend when my grandmother (83) got really ill, really suddenly. I must just share with everyone the wonderful service we received from the Emergency Management Services (EMS) paramedic, Jafta, to the doctors at Chris Hani Bara Hospital. The hospital itself is in a shocking state for the most part, but the people that work there seem to be doing the best they can under the circumstances. The EMS guy came to the house because we couldn't transport my Granny in a car. He spoke to her in the most gentle manner, all the while explaining everything he was doing to her. I rode with her in the ambulance and still he was gentle and caring all the way to the hospital. The emergency room is frightening to say the least. The staff are very firm but never rude really.
We did see some of the nurses and porters behaving badly, I must be honest, but nobody that dealt with us. Later the night they allowed my mother, Lester and I to sit outside the theatre while they did a gastroscopy on my Granny. When the doctor came out he gave us a full explaination of the procedure and her condition and his concerns in a gentle and caring manner.

This is when I got blown away... we escorted the other doctor, a porter and my Granny to the surgical ward where they allowed us to stay while they got her settled in and then!!!! they told us that the doctor would be around for another five minutes should we want to sit down with her and ask any questions. We've done Helen Joseph hospital with my Granny not too long ago. Not a single doctor spoke to us the whole time we were there and nobody could tell us what was wrong with her. Do you see why I'm so awestruck by this experience.

All I can say is thank you to all the people who took care of her during her stay at Bara and especially to people who selflessly donate blood. She had to have several transfusions which would not have been possible without donated blood. Needless to say, I donated my first 400 or so millilitres of blood yesterday. I encourage everyone to do they same, provided they are able, as you never know when you or a loved one will need a pint!