Following a series of successful cataract surgeries, doctors at Mediclinic Limpopo Day Clinic will now extend the collaborative surgeries to include ENT and urology procedures. On 15 and 16 November 2018, paediatric patients from Polokwane Provincial Hospital surgical waiting lists will undergo surgery at the private hospital.
On Thursday, 15 November, Dr Lekohotla Monare and Dr Smit van Zyl, both urologists based at Mediclinic Limpopo Day Clinic, will perform pro bono surgery on 10 paediatric patients. Anaesthetist Dr Muyima Gibango will assist with these procedures. To maximise the opportunity offered by these surgeries, two medical officers from the provincial hospital will form part of the surgical team, allowing them greater exposure to different surgeons and techniques. Procedures expected to be performed include orchiopexy (or correction of undescended testes), inguinal hernia and hydrocele repair.
“On Friday, 16 November, our clinic will also assist an additional 10 young patients, who will undergo adeno-tonsillectomies to relieve breathing difficulties,” says Stephane Moelich, Mediclinic Limpopo Day Clinic Manager.
The procedures will be undertaken by respected ENT surgeon, Dr Lorraine Mosotja, and anaesthetist, Dr Yvonne Phaswana. An additional medical officer will also join this team.
These surgeries are part of an ongoing relationship between Mediclinic and provincial health structures across the country, where spare theatre capacity within the private sector is utilised to assist the provincial facilities located within these regions. The aim of the partnership is to help broaden access to quality healthcare for all South Africans, while alleviating the burden of long public surgery waiting lists. To date, these surgeries have proven highly successful with an initial 100 patients in the first year and an intended roll out of a further 100 surgeries within the current financial year.
“In Limpopo Province we find it difficult to attract specialist doctors,” says Dr Ntodeni Ndwamato, acting deputy director general for tertiary health services and academic development at Limpopo Department of Health, “This means that patients can wait years to receive treatment. We appreciate the effort Mediclinic has made to reach out into the community. They supply the expertise and consumable materials required to really give these patients a better quality of life.”
The Mediclinic surgical facilities, nursing staff and expertise from Mediclinic associated doctors, are provided free of charge in a collaboration with the local public-sector hospital. Patients are selected from waiting lists at the relevant public facility by their consulting specialists, and are then assessed by the surgeon in private practice before surgery.
“Mediclinic Limpopo Day Clinic is excited to have these opportunities. While providing surgery for patients may appear to be a simple gesture, we cannot underestimate the difference these procedures will make in the life of the patient,” says MC Botha, Hospital General Manager Mediclinic Limpopo Day Clinic. “I would like to thank Stephane and her day clinic team as well as all of our doctors and anaesthetists for their time and expertise – allowing us to make such a difference in these young lives.”
“As we have demonstrated through more than 150 surgeries to date - it is critical for all players in healthcare to play their part, private and public alike. Mediclinic is proud that we are able to alleviate some of the pressure on the public surgical waiting lists and to make a substantial difference in so many lives. With our involvement in Public Private Initiatives we have the opportunity to add collaborative value beyond our traditional patient base,” says Bob Govender, Industry Affairs Executive for Mediclinic Southern Africa.