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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 ...”
Prospective Kovsies advised to respect themselves
2015-05-22
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Thousands of prospective Kovsies had a brief but unforgettable experience of being a Kovsie when they descended on the Qwaqwa Campus for the Open Day on 16 May 2015.
They came from all over the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, and from as far as Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal.
“You are special,” was the message from Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations.
“Each one of you is very special, and don’t allow anyone to tell you otherwise,” said Dr Makhetha.
“Each one has a brilliant mind and you can achieve anything you set your mind to. This can only happen if your thoughts and whatever you say to yourself are positive all time.”
The learners were also reminded to take themselves seriously, and to always respect themselves.
“It is important that you must have respect for yourself, for others, and for the environment. When you respect yourself, you respect time. You must make it your business to know and read extensively,” she said.
After the formal programme, learners were exposed to different study programmes and student services by visiting various faculties and departments.
The programme included messages of support from the Campus Management and the SRC. Entertainment was provided by a South African hip-hop group, Skwatta Kamp, a student ensemble called Unspoken, and a breathtaking laser show.