Within South Africa’s beleaguered public health sector — unsettled by budget cuts, understaffing, and divisive NHI legislation — cutting edge surgical robots are beacons of excellence that offer a glimmer of hope.
Within South Africa’s beleaguered public health sector — unsettled by budget cuts, understaffing, and divisive NHI legislation — cutting edge surgical robots that have been used to perform more than 600 surgeries at two Cape Town public hospitals are beacons of excellence that offer a glimmer of hope. Spotlight’s Biénne Huisman visited Dr Tim Forgan at Tygerberg Hospital to learn more.
“It really is next level, it feels like you’re inside the patient,” says colorectal specialist Dr Tim Forgan, Tygerberg Hospital’s da Vinci robotics coordinator. Gys tells Spotlight: “The next day the sisters offered to wash me, I said to them ‘no, I’m not helpless.’ My recovery was very quick. I was up and about in no time, while the other patients had to be assisted. I was discharged on day four, and back at home I could even continue doing my own chores.”
“Yes it was a circus,” says Forgan, laughing. “A whole bunch of people watching me operate, quite bloody nerve-wracking. Fortunately I’m experienced at having lots of students around watching; plus performing surgery is just so immersive, everything else fades out.” A spokesperson for the Western Cape Ministry of Health and Wellness, under former MEC Mbombo, Luke Albert explains: “We can see the immense impact it has for patients and the health system. For example, a traditional open cystectomy patient would require three days of ICU stay, as well as two weeks of hospital stay to recuperate. During this time, on average, 42% of patients require blood transfusions and almost 20% need total parenteral nutrition .
As we speak, nurses arrive in the theatre, preparing it for upcoming gynaecology procedures scheduled for Monday. Forgan greets them, then continues to expand on his passion for colorectal surgery.
Groote Schuur Hospital Headline Lorraine Gys Nomafrench Mbombo Roger Gerjy Tim Forgan Tygerberg Hospital Gadgets Science
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa: Better Policing in South Africa Is Well Within ReachAnalysis - SA has the necessary skills and resources - we need the president and police minister to make reform their mission.
Read more »
NHI warning for employers in South AfricaCliffe Dekker Hofmeyr says the National Health Insurance Act could make it harder for employers to attract talent.
Read more »
South Africa: Coalition Governments At Provincial Level Set to Provide Another Challenge for NHI TakeoffAnalysis - The National Health Insurance Act takes away the autonomy of provincial governments to execute healthcare service delivery initiatives and shifts it to the national government. This might upset coalition partners in provinces.
Read more »
South Africa to see first private trains operating 'within 6 to 9 months'South Africa is predicted to see the introduction of privately operated trains within six to nine months which will benefit the economy, according to James Holley, CEO of Traxtion, Africa's largest private rail operator.
Read more »
South Africa: Keyshia Cole To Tour South Africa This SummerSeasoned concert organizers Glen21 Entertainment today confirmed that the iconic R&B songstress Keyshia Cole will be touring South Africa later this year.
Read more »
South Africa: Building Peace in Our Own Backyard - South African Women Take Center Stage in PeacebuildingAs part of South Africa's broader peacebuilding strategy, women who have long been at the forefront of grassroots efforts to combat issues ranging from gender-based violence to environmental degradation, are now taking center stage.
Read more »