Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
20 December 2021
|
Story Igno van Niekerk
|
Photo Igno van Niekerk
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 ...”
Prevention is better than cure – have yourself tested!
2012-04-18
|
At the testing in the George du Toit Administration building were from left: Frank Nkoana, Senior Director: Academic Student Services, Mickey Gordon, Head: Marketing, Institutional Promotion and Sport: Corporate Relations, Chris Liebenberg, Senior Director: Finance and Lourens Geyer, Senior Director: Human Resources.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
|
Health and Wellness will do medical screening tests from this Monday to Friday on the Bloemfontein Campus and on the South Campus on Monday 23 April 2012.
The tests include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI (body mass index). In addition, free eye screening tests can be done. The results of the tests will be available directly afterwards.
Click here for the programme, which includes the place, date and time when the screening tests will take place on the Bloemfontein Campus and the South Campus.
The tests are free and all staff are invited to have themselves tested. There will be a lucky draw at each session with gift vouchers from Kloppers and the Loch Logan Waterfront.