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.

As part of a combined effort across a number of provinces, Mediclinic Medforum offered pro bono surgeries to ten patients from Steve Biko Academic Hospital, who underwent tonsillectomies by Prof. Tshifularo. Other surgeries took part in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and the Northern Cape as part of the combined efforts across Mandela Month.

“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,” explains Bob Govender, Industry Affairs Executive for Mediclinic Southern Africa. “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 more than 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,” concludes Govender, “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