The negative impact on effective physiotherapy treatment resulting from the use of old, worn-out
physical rehabilitation equipment is at last a thing of the past for the Association for the Physically
Challenged in Sherwood, Durban.
The organisation’s Sherwood-based Rehabilitation Centre was recently presented with brand new
physiotherapy and gym equipment, valued at some R230 000, by the South African Muslim
Charitable Trust (SAMCT).
The Association, operational for more than 80 years, sets out to address the needs of and improve
the quality of life for physically challenged people in KwaZulu-Natal through the facilitation of
services and projects aimed at the rehabilitation, self-reliance and integration into their communities
and wider society. It currently operates six branches across the province, with its Durban and Coastal
operations the largest.
Commenting on its equipment donation, SAMCT representative, Mr Gaff Osman, said: “The
Association provides desperately needed essential services to the province’s physically challenged,
the majority of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and who would have litle or no access
to social work or rehabilitation services without those provided by the Association.”
“Sadly, however, funding constraints have resulted in the organisation having had to make do with
old, second-hand and worn out rehabilitation equipment for some years, impacting on the
effectiveness of its physiotherapy services to clients.”
The Association employs an exceptional, experienced and dedicated physiotherapist who has made
a ‘huge contribution’ towards the beterment of the lives of clients atending the Rehabilitation
Centre in Sherwood, in spite of the serious equipment challenges and failings experienced on a daily
basis.
Physically challenged clients, ranging in age from 12 months to 60 years, have received free
rehabilitation services here for more than 30 years.
Learning of the Association’s Rehabilitation Centre major equipment issue, the SAMCT was quick to
assist, providing R230 000 for the purchase of state-of-the-art replacement apparatus, appreciably
improving the quality of treatment for clients.
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al
Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds. The
organisation provides funding, services and other resources for the improvement of the lives of the
vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged.
It has been singularly successful in delivering sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa –
irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of
healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
The Association for the Physically Challenged works toward the empowerment and integration of
physically challenged children and adults into society, targeting – especially – the disadvantaged in
peri-urban and rural areas, inclusive of the Durban Berea, Wyebank and Kloof, Umlazi, Umbumbulu,
KwaMashu, Ntuzuma, Newlands, Cato Manor, Cato Crest, Bonella and Umbilo, amongst others.
“We, of the SAMCT, were very pleased at the opportunity to contribute towards enhancing the
professional physiotherapy treatment programme operated by the Association for the Physically
Challenged through the provision of new and highly effective rehabilitation and gym equipment,” Mr
Osman said.
For more information about the SAMCT or it’s Association for the Physically Challenged
rehabilitation and gym equipment donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za