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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 ...”
Odeion School of Music prepares for Europe
2012-05-09
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Travelling to Europe in July will be, from the left: Lebogang Ledwaba (21); Maja van Dyk (19); Kgaugelo Mpyane (22); Neo Phambuka; and Heinrich Lategan (18)
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
9 May 2012
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Ten young musicians from the Odeion School of Music (OSM) will travel to Europe later this year after being selected as members of the 2012 Miagi Youth Symphony Orchestra.
These talented musicians will play at venues in Germany and Austria in July 2012. As part of the Miagi Youth Symphony Orchestra, they will share the stage with some of the best youth orchestras from around the world. On the orchestra’s itinerary is a performance at the Young Euro Classic Festival in Germany where they are scheduled to perform at the opening concert. The Young Euro Classic is the world’s premier festival for symphonic youth orchestras. Before their trip to Europe, the Miagi Youth Orchestra will play at a farewell concert at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg.
The Miagi Youth Orchestra operates under the auspices of a non-profit organisation MIAGI (Music Is A Great Investment). The organisation covers all costs of the European tour.
Ms Ingrid Hedlund, Creative Manager of Miagi, says 88 young musicians have been selected for the 2012 events and tour of Europe. She finds the level of talent of the students studying at the Odeion School of Music very high. That is why so many students from the OSM were selected to play in the orchestra.