The Public Works Health Directorate played an important role in the planning and drawing up of specifications for the new Trauma Unit at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, and made sure that specifications were adhered to by means of regular site inspections. Laura Angeletti du Toit and Stan Bolnik were the architects on the project. The project cost R16 million, of which a large portion was funded by donations from the public.

Top-of-the range equipment was installed and the Trauma Unit will become operational from August 2004. Widely recognised for its staff expertise, it is the only trauma unit in South Africa dedicated to children. It currently treats more that 10 000 children per year. Children from other African countries are also accommodated here.

According to Adrienne Coetzee, Director of the Children's Hospital Trust, which was responsible for all the fundraising, "We have raised more than R100 million for various upgrading projects at the hospital. The new equipment is known to be the most technically advanced of its kind and is a real morale booster for the staff members who will be trained on it shortly."

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Enquiries:
Chris Prins
Manager: Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 2132
Email: cwprins@pgwc.gov.za