FRIENDS OF GOOD SHEPHERD FUND

The "Friends of Good Shepherd Hospital" (FOGS) is a fund that was set up by Dr Catherine Wakely to help very poor and needy patients pay their hospital bills. When working on children's ward it was noticeable that children were staying in hospital for many more weeks than necessary since their families could not afford to pay the bill. They were therefore not entitled to leave the hospital. In many cases the children became sick again due to exposure to other patients with infections. It was for this reason that we felt it necessary to set up a fund with a small pot of money to enable these people to leave hospital and remain well.

"FOGS" is not a charity, it is a donation fund.  It has no staff dedicated to running it, but the fund has helped with many projects over the years since its' inception.  Currently FOGS activities include:

Payment of Hospital Bills:  By far the most money that FOGS spends goes directly on patient care.  The needy patients are highlighted by the doctors and nurses, then FOGS pays for them directly.

Treatment Guidelines:  What started as an A4 file detailing common diseases and treatments, has grown into a book.  Inkhombandlela (The Lumbombo Clinical care Guidelines) was released in January 2005 throughout the Lubombo region of Swaziland. 

OPD Triage:  FOGS has paid for the initiation of the new sorting system for outpatients. Now the sickest patients are seen first, a revolutionary idea in Swaziland.

The new Paediatric Unit: With the opening of a new paediatric ward FOGS has paid for the painting and decoration of the ward and consulting room.  These room would of course been painted without FOGS, but by paying for it ourselves, we have been able to make the areas "child friendly" 

Nutrition:  FOGS regularly provides increased nutrition to any patient who is malnourished.  The fund now works in partnership with World Food Program

Moyeni Feeding Scheme:  The latest in a long line of projects is support of the Moyeni Children's Feeding Scheme, providing food and education for 160 children of the local community of Moyeni.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Many of you are helping already - for which I thank you.

If you wish to help financially banking details are available on request. Cheques no matter how big or small happily accepted (remember - it is only a dollar a day to stay in hospital), and for any who want to make a more regular commitment, standing orders are something to think about.

Thank you!