Head of breast surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital dedicates herself to giving back
Professor Jenny Edge, a passionate advocate for breast healthcare, talks about her work training breast care nurses, and her plans to take her work international.
Determined to teach and give the best breast-care health service, Professor Jenny Edge aims to take her passion projects to neighbouring countries.
The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital head of breast surgery completed her undergraduate training in London. “For my elective training, I went to Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. That is where I also met my husband and why I came to South Africa. I then completed my surgical training at Tygerberg Hospital, and during that time, I developed an interest in breast surgery.”
Edge explained, that after having her children, she decided she wanted to have more say over her working hours, which is why she ventured into private healthcare. “I went into private healthcare, where I was predominately a breast surgeon, for 18 years in Cape Town. I returned to academia work and worked at Tygerberg Hospital (Stellenbosch University), where I worked happily for five years.”
Her move to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital happened a year and a half ago and was fuelled by wanting to do something different. “I think Gauteng is a province nearer to neighbouring countries that allow free-flowing information. As I grow older, I want to venture into more projects involving Southern Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe and other countries. It is geographically suitable for some of the areas of work I am interested in.”
Transitioning from private to public health.
Talking about her transition from public to private healthcare, and back again, Edge explained that the two healthcare sectors were completely different. “Being a private surgeon means you run your own business and have more say over what you do in many ways. Whilst in private, I managed to set up a non-governmental organization (NGO), Breast Course for Nurses, which focuses on training nurses working in primary clinics. To date, we have trained over 700 health care workers.”
Also read: Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital opens new breast health clinic
The NGO introduced a second level of education, which was extended to training specialist breast nurses. “There is a lot of opportunity for us to upskill healthcare workers, other than doctors, to be the primary person in a breast clinic,” Edge noted.
The NGO held two courses with Stellenbosch University in the past and is confident that a relaunch of another iteration will take place in Johannesburg. “The primary original course is not accredited, and is flexible, so, we can change our needs as we wish. At the end of last year, the NGO visited Zimbabwe, to work with the Association for Breast Surgery from England for a campaign in Matabeleland.”
A second project in Zimbabwe was based at Chikombedzi Mission Hospital. The visit aimed to evaluate how breast knowledge can be improved among villagers. “As the Breast Course for Nurses evolves, it has gone from being an educational program to being one for listening. One of the things we are planning on doing is moving towards saving more stratified breast clinics, for people to book online for their appointments.”
The launch of a new breast clinic
Edge stressed the importance of public and private partnerships, “The new breast clinic at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital is a direct result of public and private partnerships. It initially began with a meeting with Derick Allan, from Norvatis.”
He asked the Professor what was needed to develop breast services at the hospital, she replied that space was required to focus on patient care, teach students, and conduct research. The project grew to include donations from Barberry and individuals including Jassat and neighbouring businesses based in Vereeniging.
Edge concluded that Gladys Bogoshi, the hospital’s CEO, and the facility manager, Mossie Mostert, were immensely involved in the clinic being a success.
“The clinic is an example of what can be achieved when the state, private and academic sectors join forces.”
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