Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA), Mr Senzo Mchunu, will on Friday, November 15, officially launch the Standing Boxes Project and hand over standing boxes for utilisation by children with cerebral palsy at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.
According to research, approximately 70% of all children with Cerebral Palsy can never learn to stand or walk on their own. Physiotherapists at the hospital decided to make it possible for affected children who cannot stand or walk on their own to be part of an “Early Standing Programme”, leading to the Standing Box Project.
The Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), an entity in the portfolio of the MPSA identifies, supports and nurtures innovation in the Public Service, with a view to improving service delivery, and runs the Public Sector Innovation Awards programme.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital was the overall winner last year for the innovative project of Standing Devices/Boxes for children with Cerebral Palsy, designed by physiotherapists at the hospital. The CPSI is working in collaboration with the Department of Correctional Services to get the department to manufacture standing boxes through their rehabilitation programme in correctional facilities.
To date 100 standing boxes have been issued free of charge to children from Soweto and surrounding areas.
The launching of the Standing Boxes Project will also mark Disability Rights Month which runs from 3 November to 3 December 2019, highlights the rights of disabled persons.
Cerebral palsy is a condition that causes a range of disabilities, from mild to severe. Cerebral palsy is the most common motor and movement disability of childhood. It is a neurological condition caused by brain damage and this hinders severely the development of the child.
“The event will serve to encourage more innovation in the public sector, which improves service delivery and people’s lives,” Minister Mchunu said.
