Andrew
Where It All Began
The Red Cross Polio Centre started off when a group of young mothers, who had children living with disabilities caused by polio, started having monthly parties to entertain their children.
They were called Sunflower parties.
The parties started at Rhodesia Red Cross Society Hall, which then prompted the opening of an experimental clinic – the Red Cross Polio Centre – in 1952.
Funding to start the Polio Centre came from door-to-door collections by the mothers.
They raised 14 000 pounds to build the complex.
Adjacent to the Polio Centre was the Cerebral Palsy Association, which was formed in 1956 and specialised in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy in children.
The evolution to St Giles
As the health sector evolved, vaccinations were made available for polio and the Polio Centre was rendered irrelevant.
It then made sense at that point to join the two organisations and provide rehabilitation services to people with disabilities in general.
The amalgamation took place in 1964 and the newly found centre was called the Salisbury Rehabilitation Centre.
The name was then changed to St Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre in 1964.
The initial plan for the buildings was then expanded from original works to add on the administration block, the adult ward, as well as some of the therapy units.
The name St Giles
The name St Giles is derived from a Greek hermit who lived in France in the sixth century.
One day the king, who was hunting in the forest, shot an arrow at a young deer and it fled to St Giles for protection.
The arrow struck St Giles and left him disabled.
St Giles was a very popular saint in the middle ages and was said to have the power of healing.
He is the traditional patron saint of the sick, often associated with hospitals.
He is also a saint for animal lovers.
Who owns St Giles?
The St Giles Association owns and runs the St Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre.
The association’s membership is open to any person or serving club interested in medical rehabilitation development in personal or charity work in general on a voluntary basis.
The centre is run by a 12-member board of governors elected from paid-up members at the annual general meeting.
The board is responsible for policymaking.
A team of professional managers employed at the centre led by the chief executive officer and the medical doctor is responsible for the day-to-day management of the centre under the guidance of the board of governors.
Our vision
To be the leader in rebuilding human lives.
Our mission statement
To serve as a leading rehabilitation centre where unsurpassed patient-centred care is delivered by dedicated people focusing on optimising health and independence while conducting and applying cutting edge research and technology.
Our core values
Our values represent the soul of St Giles, we use our core values to guide our decisions as we strive to fulfill our mission and we believe in:
· Excellence
· Professionalism
· Knowledge
· Communication
· Caring and Compassionate
To know more about the work St Giles does you are all invited to the St Giles Open Day to be held on March 31, 2022, where the centre will be highlighting its services and operations through a guided tour of the facilities.
Contact Eve on +263 772 766 958; Theresa +263 713 441 749 to confirm attendance.
Online Reporter