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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 ...”
Group of farmers from Namibia visit the UFS
2007-11-15
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A group of 52 emerging farmers from Gobabis in the Omaheke region of Namibia recently visited the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development at the University of the Free State (UFS). The group, who comprised of several ladies and young people, are mostly small and large scale cattle farmers. They were addressed by several lecturers from the centre. Visits were also paid to among others a large goat farm in Upington and Beefmaster's feeding paddock in Christiana. The farmers wanted to acquaint themselves with animal production practices and possible food value chains and establish future business partners for their businesses. From the left, are: Prof. Izak Groenewald (Head of the UFS Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development), Sir Lesley Kaundara (member of the group), Ms Inge Kangootui (member of the group), Prof. Kobus Laubscher (Associate Professor at the UFS Department of Agricultural Economics), and Mr Joel Tjaondjo (member of the group).
Photo: Lacea Loader
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