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20 December 2021
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Story Igno van Niekerk
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Photo Igno van Niekerk
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Dr Samantha Potgieter, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and Dr Nicholas Pearce, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery comment on their team members’ commitment and determination during the pandemic.
On the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, two UFS doctors are leading a team of inspired healthcare workers in a superhuman effort to make a positive difference.
With the pandemic in its second year and the recurring challenges of new waves and strains consistently in the news, one would expect the doctors to be tired. However, quite the opposite is true. Upon entering the office where Dr Samantha Potgieter, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine and Dr Nicholas Pearce, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery are in a meeting with colleagues, the debate is vibrant; an energetic sense of mission.
Miraculously succeeded
My brief is to collect stories and experiences they’ve had over the past 18 months at the Tumelo ward for general and high-care patients, where the team has miraculously succeeded in not running out of oxygen or ventilators, despite handling high volumes of patients from the Free State and Northern Cape. “We saw those pictures of piled-up bodies in Italy. We were committed to avoiding that at all costs. And we did.”
Success stories? First mentioned are their team members’ commitment and determination. The team had to stand in when families could not support dying patients. “They did not die alone. Our team was there.”
“Really sad and frustrating are the deaths that could have been prevented. Unvaccinated patients. They arrive ill, wanting to know if they can get it. Too late...” – Dr Nicholas Pearce
Then came hope
Sad stories? The past year has had its share of sad stories. “Someone comes in during the morning, needs oxygen, in the afternoon they are in ICU, then ventilator – and then they die. We’ve never faced anything like this before.”
Then came hope. Vaccines. Dr Pearce is in charge of the vaccination site at Universitas Hospital. “Really sad and frustrating are the deaths that could have been prevented. Unvaccinated patients. They arrive ill, wanting to know if they can get it. Too late ...” He opens his cell phone – shares the stats. “We can handle 2 000 vaccinations a day. At the moment about 250 comes in.” He shakes his head.
“We can beat this virus, but we need to stand together ...”
Student Hanje Pistorius walks before Christmas
2009-12-15
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Mr Frans Kleinhans and Hanje Pistorius during a fitting session of her new bionic leg.
Photograph: Leonie Bolleurs |
A medical student at the University of the Free State (UFS), Hanje Pistorius, who lost her leg in a motor accident while collecting money for the Rag earlier this year, will walk before Christmas. This time with the help of her new bionic leg. People countrywide opened their hearts and made contributions to help cover the cost of a prosthesis for Hanje.
Hanje decided on a product from the prosthesis component manufacturer, Ossur. The impressive mobility of a patient model user of the Rheo Knee convinced Hanje that this is the prosthesis that she would like to use.
The company Ossur decided to donate a part of the prosthesis component to her. Mr Frans Kleinhans from FA Kleinhans Orthopaedic Services also made a big contribution by offering to deliver the clinical services to manufacture the prosthesis and to fit it to Hanje. He will also manage the long-term rehabilitation.
Although Hanje is still unfamiliar with the leg, Mr Kleinhans said that she is already making good progress with the leg.