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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 ...”
SACOMM Conference at UFS
2007-09-14
The Department of Communication and Information Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) is hosting the annual conference of the South African Communications Association (SACOMM). The theme of the conference is "The African Landscape"
Date: 19-21 September 2007
Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, UFS Main Campus
Time: Please refer to the attached programme
The keynote address, entitled "The concept of an African University", will be delivered by Prof. Achille Mbembe from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) on 19 September 2007 at 14:00.
Enquiries can be directed to Ms Mercia Coetzee at 051 401 2872 or 082 257 4566.
Download Conference programme (Pdf format)
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Department receives sponsorship from ABSA Bank
The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Communication and Information Studies received a sponsor of R20 000 from ABSA Bank. The department is hosting the annual national conference of the South African Communication Association (SACOMM) from 19-21 September 2007 on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein and the money will be used for the conference. During the hand-over of the sponsorship were, from the left are: Ms Mercia Coetzee (Lecturer at the department and organiser of the conference) and Ms Eloïse Calitz (ABSA Bank).
Photo: Supplied
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