Medical specialists volunteer to do urgent surgeries
The Rural Health Matters Campaign started to reap fruit as many patients in need of urgent surgeries were given the help they needed recently, MEC for Health in Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba led a team of specialists who conducted surgeries at hospitals in the Mopani District Municipality area.
The five health facilities that were part of the campaign were Letaba Hospital, Kgapane Hospital, Dr CN Phatudi Hospital, Van Velden Hospital and the former Clinix in Phalaborwa.
Samson Hlungwana (77) from Lulekani in Phalaborwa is one of the patients whose life was changed for the better through the project. On Saturday 26 June, Hlungwana received eye surgery in one of his eyes after he lost his sight last year.
“I’m very happy and grateful to the department as now I can see without difficulty,” he told the Herald.
Dr Mikia Ramothwala, clinical manager of Letaba Hospital, said that he is satisfied with the results of the campaign as they have managed to do critical operations which patients have been waiting for.
He mentioned that he was also proud of Dr Thendo Netshiongolwe, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who performed a successful 5 kg breast reduction, an operation which the patient’s medical aid was refusing to pay for even though the patient was experiencing severe pain.
Also read: Residents receive surgeries after long wait
The specialists range from reproductive medicine specialists, urogynaecological specialists, ophthalmologists, urologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, paediatric surgeons, ear, nose and throat surgeons, radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, gynecologists, maxillo-facial surgeons, anaesthesiologists, cardiologists, general surgeons, physicians and nephrologists.
The specialists spent the whole week clearing surgical and medical backlogs, transferring skills, exposing medical practitioners to new techniques as well as consulting patients who have been on the waiting list of academic hospitals. Ramathuba applauded and thanked the medical and dental specialists volunteers and all healthcare workers who were part of the programme.
“Many thanks to the hospital managers in the Mopani district who made this programme possible.
“To all our volunteer specialists and all healthcare workers, we are grateful to see your commitment to improving the lives of our people. “Your service is always appreciated.Together we can do more to change the lives of our people,” said Ramathuba.
