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20 December 2021
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Story Igno van Niekerk
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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 ...”
University ready for 2013 registration process
2012-12-05
16 November 2012
Thousands of new first-year students are expected at the University of the Free State (UFS) in January 2013 and the University is ready to receive them. Everything is in place to allow the registration process to run smoothly for new, as well as senior students.
As in previous years, the Callie Human Centre will be the central point during the registration process. Students will get advice on registration, admission, academic programmes, class fees, residences and other information there.
New first-year students and their parents or guardians will be welcomed on the Qwaqwa Campus on 18 January 2013 and on the Bloemfontein Campus on 19 January 2013 by Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector. Four sessions are scheduled in which Prof. Jansen will spend time with new students of the different faculties on the Bloemfontein Campus. New first-year students will register from 21 to 25 January 2013.
Registration for senior students will commence on 14 January 2013. Those who do not live in university residences register from 14 to18 January 2013, while students who live in residences can register from 28 to 31 January 2013.
For further enquiries, contact the UFS Information Office on 051 401 3000. For more information on the registration process, visit our webpage and click on the heading More about us.