In honour of Mandela Month, Mediclinic is performing a number of pro-bono surgeries nationally for patients on the public sector surgical waiting lists. This will be done in collaboration with the various provincial Departments of Health. These surgeries are part of a long-term collaboration between local hospitals, associated doctors and the respective health departments, where additional capacity in Mediclinic theatres is utilised to assist patients from the public sector.
Kwa-Zulu Natal
On July 21, Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg will host 10 patients undergoing urology surgeries performed by Paediatric Surgeon, Dr Mangray and his team, as part of their ongoing relationship with Greys Hospital. This is in addition to the regular scoliosis surgeries performed by Dr Puddu of Greys Hospital, who brings patients from their waiting list for surgery at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg.
Gauteng
Mediclinic Morningside will together with their doctor partners perform pro bono botox interventions for cerebral palsy children with excessive drooling, as well as corneal transplants in the last week of July, for patients on the Gauteng Department of Health’s waiting list and Forest Town School. “These surgeries will make a significant difference to the quality of life of these patients, and we are excited by this opportunity,” says Bob Govender, Industry Affairs Executive and co-ordinator of these surgeries.
“This is the first time that transplant surgeries have formed part of Mediclinic’s pro bono offering,” he adds.
Northern Cape
In the Northern Cape, Mediclinic Kimberley will host maxillofacial cases to repair mandibular fractures with the assistance of Prime Surgicals who are supplying some of the tools and consumables required to complete these procedures. Later in the month, ENT tonsillectomies will follow for some younger patients, also at Mediclinic Kimberley. Surgeries will be performed by doctors from the public sector within Mediclinic theatres, optimising the working relationship between the sectors.
Western Cape
By the end of July, approximately 160 patients will undergo gynaecological surgery in eight of Mediclinic‘s Cape Town based hospitals. “This is through a collaboration with Mitchells Plain Hospital and the Western Cape Department of Health,” explains Dr Jacek Marszalek, Medical Manager of Mitchell's Plain Hospital. “where many of their female patients have been awaiting surgery for a long period of time. The coordination and teamwork for these surgeries has been considerable, and we are proud of the efforts of all the participants including the anaesthetic group who have assisted with the provision of anaesthesiology services via their members. Doctors across the province have volunteered their time across two weekends to achieve this ambitious total.”
Patients are identified by the relevant public sector facility, based on an evaluation and set of criteria, and are brought to the participating Mediclinic facilities for surgery. Mediclinic provides nursing care and theatre facilities, while associated surgeons and anaesthetists contribute with their expertise. Both private and public sector doctors are involved in these surgical efforts, demonstrating the range of solutions possible through collaboration.
Since 2018, Mediclinic has performed 800 surgeries including ENT, urology, cataract, orthopaedic and many other procedures across various provinces. The collaborative surgeries have assisted in fostering stronger relationships between the private sector and various provincial departments of health, exploring workable solutions in the move towards a more accessible healthcare system for the country.
“I would like to thank the specialists involved in these surgeries for their time and dedication,” says Bob Govender, Industry Affairs Executive for Mediclinic Southern Africa, “and I would like to reaffirm our commitment to these collaborations with the public sector. We at Mediclinic will continue to seek out opportunities to interact and support where needed, developing workable solutions for the challenges faced within the industry.”
For further information please contact:
Mediclinic Southern Africa
Corporate Communications Manager
Email: media@mediclinic.co.za
Tel: 021 809 6500