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27 January 2023 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Jóhann Thormählen
Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic
The Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic in Kovsie Health has officially launched its renovated facilities. From the left are Dr Gerhard Jansen, medical practitioner in Kovsie Health; Edith Maritz, physiotherapist in Kovsie Health; Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State; Sister Riana Johnson, Deputy Director: Health and Wellness Centre; Temba Hlasho, Executive Director of Student Affairs; and Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport.

A facility where University of the Free State (UFS) athletes are provided a top integrated medical service, where theory and practice meet, and where the expertise of quality professionals is highlighted.

According to Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, the newly renovated facilities and services of the Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic in Kovsie Health are an example of this.

“For me, this is something we can talk about. Not only inside the university or within Bloemfontein and the larger Free State area, but also in the rest of South Africa.”

Prof Petersen and stakeholders of the clinic attended the launch of the revamped facilities on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on 24 January 2023.

Patients now receive medical treatment in a new-look environment after renovations were completed at the end of 2022. The clinic’s patients include KovsieSport high-performance athletes, UFS staff and students, and private patients.

Renovations were done to, among others, consultation rooms, offices, passages, and the rehabilitation centre, which was improved and expanded with artificial grass.

And there are more developments in the pipeline at Kovsie Health.

 

Service to sports stars

Edith Maritz, physiotherapist in Kovsie Health, believes the renovations provide patients with even better service.

“Our vision for the sports clinic is to be a leading patient-centred, evidence-based sports medicine clinic among South African universities.

“I firmly believe that this is the start of bigger and better things to come.”

The clinic provides services to UFS high-performance athletes and therefore has a close relationship with KovsieSport.

Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, says it plays an important role in the high-performance programme.

It provides an integrated medicine and science programme, helping sports stars to perform on the field, and to be rehabilitated quicker.

“I believe that with this kind of service and investment, our student athletes will get first-hand, quality, top-notch rehabilitation programmes that will help them in terms of performance.”

 

Theory meets practice

Final-year UFS Physiotherapy students receive practical training at the clinic, and Maritz believes the new facilities add value to their experience.

“The facility allows our Academic Project to be integrated in terms of what the UFS offers,” says Prof Petersen.

“This is where theory and practice meet. When the theoretical and practical sides meet, there are benefits for both.”

According to him, the quality of the UFS personnel is also emphasised.

“These are people who have the competency, are dedicated and committed, and can – in their integrated way – provide a service that is highly professional.”

Dr Gerhard Jansen, medical practitioner in Kovsie Health, thanked the UFS.

“We are very happy with the renovations and with the support we get from the university to improve our working environment.

“The renovations make it more suitable to reach our goals as a clinic.”


Tsebo Matsoso and Siphephelo Ndlovu

Kovsie athletes such as Tsebo Matsoso (left) and Siphephelo Ndlovu are now using the renovated facilities, which include synthetic grass, for rehabilitation.

Photo: Supplied



Shockwave Therapy Facilities

The Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic at Kovsie Health also have shockwave therapy facilities, which can be used for problems such as tendon issues and non-healing fractures.

Photo: Jóhann Thormählen

 

News Archive

SRC and Kovsies stand against abuse
2014-04-15

The SRC took the lead on Monday by orchestrating a campaign to create awareness and instill consciousness on campuses to act against the abuse of women and children.

During a march from the Thakaneng Bridge to the Main Building on the Bloemfontein Campus, the SRC led students in a Pledge Against Women and Children Abuse to ensure that the UFS community become accountable. The message proclaimed, was one of zero tolerance for the abuse of women and children.

The Dean of Student Affairs, Rudi Buys, addressed students, saying: “No more. This cannot be just another march, but something to speak directly to injustice.”

This campaign was aimed at ensuring that relevant information and services are provided to help women and children. Representatives of Health and Wellness, psychologists and social workers, as well as representatives from the Centre of Trauma Forgiveness and Reconciliation, the Centre for Safety and Security and the Institute of Race and Reconciliation were present during this campaign.
The Vice-Rector: External Relations, Dr Choice Makheta, stressed the point of women and children’s wellbeing, by saying: “As a university we must make sure women are treated well… that children are treated very well.”

Violence against women and children in South Africa happens regardless of age, class or colour. Studies shows 50% of women have been reported experiencing violence at the hands of their intimate partners. Local studies also show that 28% of men have admitted to being rapists. Every hour a child is abused in South Africa.

But Kovsies say “No more! No more!”

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