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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 ...”
House Tswelopele hosts first Security Guard Appreciation Day
2015-09-28
Our unsung heroes being honoured for their hard work.
Imagine all access points, residences, and major events devoid of security. Mojaki Mothibi had this unsettling image in mind when he decided to organise and host the inaugural Security Appreciation Day.
Security guards work day and night to create a safe and conducive environment for our students and staff. On Friday 18 September 2015, security guards from the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Protection Services were shown appreciation for keeping the Bloemfontein Campus crime-free.
According to Mojaki, the initiative was also to support the Be Safe campaign, championed by the university’s Department of Communication and Brand Management.
“I created an Appreciation Day for all the security guards who work so hard to keep us safe, to say thanks, and to ask them to continue keeping us safe,” said the outgoing Tswelopele Prime.
Addressing security guards at the event, Mojaki conveyed a message of admiration. “We appreciate the tenacity that you show and the protection that you constantly provide us with,” he stated.
Thabo Tsautse, a security guard at the university, applauded Mojaki and House Tswelopele as a collective for recognising their efforts as service providers. “This is the first residence in the history of the UFS to appreciate our work,” he said.
The event concluded with members of the residence presenting snack packs to the unsung heroes as a token of appreciation.