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By Matlhatsi Dibakwane
 The Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital welcomed the donation of over 20 000 medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) recently.  
 The Plane Project in partnership  with Gift of the Givers, Eagle Air Middle East and SHOUT SA delivered the consignment to alleviate the pressure on the health care system and to ensure the protection of frontline healthcare workers.
The donation was well received by the hospital executives. Accepting the delivery, the hospital's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keneilwe Letebele  said the equipment will be utilised by frontline workers who are providing service  to  COVID ward. 
She said the donation came in handy as the hospital was running low on vital protective gear for staff treating COVID-19 patients.
 "We were already running short of gowns as we get them from a central place for the whole province, so this donation is an addition from what we are receiving. The donated gowns, surgical masks, sanitisers are all very important in assisting our staff," she said.
The Plane Project founder Kelly Slingers said their aim was to help the hospital with much needed medical supplies such as oxygen tubes and protective gear.
 She added that they wanted to ensure that healthcare workers were well equipped and protected while carrying out their responsibilities in fighting COVID-19.
"With the third wave driven by the Delta variant and Gauteng being the epicentre of the pandemic, we have focused all our efforts to alleviating some of the pressure on the public healthcare system in Gauteng."
"We try and source supplies where there is need and we are trying our outmost best to alleviate the pressure that hospitals are currently under," said Dr Letebele
The consignment also included chocolate treats for children currently admitted in hospital's paediatric ward.