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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 ...”
UFS students visit Singapore
2008-03-14
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A group of 19 students from the University of the Free State's (UFS) Department of Communication and Information Studies will be visiting the National University of Singapore in April for nine days next month. The students, who are registered for the Media Studies, Corporate Communication and Integrated Marketing Communication programmes were selected according to their academic performance. During the visit students will among others attend classes in their respective fields of study. The group will be accompanied by Mss Rentia du Plessis, Dalme Mulder and Maresa Lotter, lecturers at the department. Here are from the left, front: Geni Keyser, Carla Bakkes, Marieke Swarzendahl, Leigh-Ann Carey,Tsholofelo Ramets, Fhumulani Mudua, Mpolokeng Lepote, Clarinda Smith, Tlaleng Ramarou, Naledi Hlabahlaba, Helen Motsepe; back: Stefan Lotter, Zanda Matoti, Gerda-Marie Viviers, Marcelle Strydom, Mercia Beerkat, Lesego Thibeletsa, Melissa CC. Mann, and Zurayda Mayet. Absent: Helen Motsepe.
Photo: Supplied
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