Mediclinic Panorama is proud to offer high quality care to our most vulnerable patients – those born early or with health concerns that require additional nursing and clinical support.
The unit is led by Brendely Pretorius, a dedicated Neonatal Unit Manager who is passionate about the total care of premature infants. With more than 30 years nursing experience, Brendely’s journey through the world of neonatal care has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a deep love for her work.
“This is my ultimate goal and where I find great satisfaction,” she shares. Through hard work and dedication, she has transformed from a professional nurse into a qualified and experienced neonatal nurse, honing her skills to provide the best possible care for vulnerable infants.
As we celebrate International Premature Day we recognise the theme of “access to quality care everywhere”, we celebrate that the NICU, equipped to care for extremely micro-premature infants from just 25 weeks gestation offers 22 beds, and serves as a referral hospital for patients from as far as the Northern Cape and Namibia. The extensive experience of both doctors and staff offer a unique and specialised service accessible across a broad region of the country. .
A key concept within NICU is that of “skin-to-skin” or Kangaroo care, which Brendely champions in her unit, was clinically defined in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1979 by Edgar Rey Sanabria and Hector Martinez-Gomez. This innovative approach emerged as an alternative to incubators during a time when mortality rates for premature infants were alarmingly high due to a shortage of equipment. The method, involving mothers carrying their infants in skin-to-skin contact, has since shown significant reductions in mortality rates and the risk of complications such as hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, and sepsis, while promoting breastfeeding.
At Mediclinic Panorama, the practice of enhancing skin-to-skin contact is integral to ensuring parent bonding at all times. “We believe that it is vital to equip our new families with all the knowledge, skills and bonding that can be accomplished in this environment, to ensure the best outcomes for each of our tiny patients,” explains Pretorius.
“Premature birth is often unexpected and can be a shock for families,” she explains. The team at Mediclinic Panorama shares in the emotions, frustrations, and uncertainties that parents face, offering sustainable support and clarity throughout the process, with the reassurance of clinical experience to guide each family.
They instil hope by sharing success stories of premature infants who have gone home healthy, creating a narrative of resilience and positivity. The most rewarding moments for the NICU team come when they can tell parents, “Your baby is ready for discharge,” often bringing smiles—and sometimes tears—to their eyes.
As she reflects on her journey, Brendely remains committed to her role, inspired by the impact they have on the lives of premature infants and their families. Her passion for neonatal care continues to shine, reinforcing the vital role that compassionate, skilled nurses play in the survival and thriving of the most vulnerable members of society.