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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 ...”

News Archive

Avant-garde filmmaker. Renowned feminist scholar. Revolutionary Prof Laura Mulvey.
2014-06-27

Prof Laura Mulvey – currently a professor at Film and Media Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, is about to visit the Bloemfontein Campus. As a tribute to her achievements, the UFS is bestowing an Honorary Doctorate on her during our Winter Graduation Ceremony. In addition, two events are scheduled during which the public can get to know Prof Mulvey and her films better.

Prof Mulvey is a hugely influential figure in the international arena of film and visual media. She is globally recognised as an eminent feminist film scholar and worked at the British Film Institute for many years. During the 1970s and ‘80s she exploded onto the scene as a prominent avant-garde filmmaker.

During her visit, she will discuss a film with Prof Annie van den Oever (University of Groningen) and some of her most renowned film material will also be screened.

Under the Skin of the City (Iran, 2001), directed by Rakhshan Bani-E'temad, will be screened in full on Thursday 3 July 2014. The film centres on the trials and tribulations faced by an Iranian family. This award-winning film will resonate with a South African audience because of the social issues it addresses. Prof Mulvey and Prof Van den Oever will also discuss the film afterwards.

On Saturday 5 July 2014, Prof Van den Oever and Prof Mulvey will have another discussion and the audience will be treated to snippets from her prominent films.

The details of these events are:

Date: Thursday 3 July 2014
Time: 16:00 – 18:15
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: Elouise Johnsen, JohnsenE@ufs.ac.za, +27(0)51 401 2315 (mornings).
Refreshments will be served.

Date: Saturday 5 July 2014
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: Elouise Johnsen, JohnsenE@ufs.ac.za, 27(0)51 401 2315 (mornings).
Refreshments will be served.

 

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