There was a lot to celebrate on Wednesday evening with the official opening of the Aloe Igazi Paediatric Oncology Ward at Port Elizabeth's Provincial Hospital.
Staff and sponsors came together to realise a long term dream in providing quality treatment and care to children living with cancer.
The hospital also celebrated the 5th anniversary of the first stem cell transplant conducted in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The unit's Head of Department, Dr. Johani Vermeulen, says they have 25 beds available and with the new facilities they are also able to give children chemotherapy on a day-care basis.
Vermuleun says the best part is that children and their parents in Port Elizabeth will now have treatment available on their door step and will not have to travel to other cities to access these.
"Actually on Monday we had 8 or 9 kids in the ward. We have 10 out patient beds where we can give children chemotherapy on a day-care basis. It's absolutely over whelming, I really think it is the most beautiful and child friendly ward probably in the country. It's just awesome and we are so thankful to all our sponsors and volunteers who came here and did all of this for our children." says Vermuleun.
Speaking at the opening , the superintendent-general of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Dr Thobile Mbengashe, says the new ward brings much hope to the people of the Eastern Cape.
"I think the launch not only brings hope to recipients of services and to the people of Port Elizabeth, but it makes possible for parents to have their own children in places where there are familiarities. They are able to sit here and not to have to travel long distances." says Mbengashe.
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