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GEORGE NEWS - Over the past weekend, three more patients from George Provincial Hospital benefited from the collaborative surgeries between Mediclinic and the public health sector. 

Last week nine young patients received tonsillectomy and grommet surgery under this ongoing project, says Kassie Karstens, the general manager of Mediclinic George and Geneva.

Karstens says the collaboration is part of the current national roll-out of pro bono surgeries by Mediclinic. Patients are selected by the provincial hospital from public sector waiting lists and then referred to the specialists involved in the surgeries. The Mediclinic surgical facilities, nursing staff and services from Mediclinic associated doctors are provided free of charge.

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The third set of surgeries will be performed in early July at Mediclinic George and Mediclinic Geneva. The urology procedures will be undertaken at Mediclinic George by local urologist Dr Johan Bahlmann, assisted by Dr Grant Trollip (urologist) and Dr Gwen Morgan-Hobson (anaesthetist). 

Karstens says these surgeries are of a complex nature and include two transurethral surgeries to remove tumours, followed by a kidney stone removal procedure. "Surgeries aim to assist provincial hospitals with their waiting lists for key procedures through shared capacity and expertise from the private sector. Because of the nature of the surgeries, the radiology practice at Mediclinic George, WE Scribante and Partners, will also provide the services of a radiographer and equipment pro bono." 

Next month, additional urology surgeries will be performed by Dr Mark Kent (urologist) and Dr George Peach (anaesthetist).

Some of the doctors and medical staff who make this project possible are, from left, Dr Gwen Morgan-Hobson, Dr Grant Trollip, Susan Kitching, Dr Johan Bahlmann, Betty April, Luzuko Bayi and Elize Prinsloo. Photos: Judy Muller

Delighted
Karstens is delighted with the results of the previous week's surgeries, "We are very happy to be included in this initiative. The feedback from our community in support of our efforts has been heart-warming and encouraging. Extending the care we are delivering to patients on the waiting lists of our neighbouring provincial hospital is an opportunity we could not miss. We are honoured to be changing the lives of these patients."

He thanks their doctors, anaesthetists as well as nursing staff for sharing their expertise and time. "One cannot underestimate the impact of these collaborations over the longer term."

Danisha Treurnicht, Ruby Valentine, Marie Hendricks and Marie Carelse together with patient Keneth Ball.

Michael Vonk, the chief executive officer of George Hospital, came to meet the first group of patients before surgery last week and expressed his appreciation of the partnership. 

"I wish to thank Mediclinic for extending the collaborative surgeries programme to the patients of George Provincial Hospital. The collaboration with Mediclinic allows us to reap the benefits of access to the additional capacity available in Mediclinic surgical facilities and the talent of the surgeons practising in their hospitals, while also being able to alleviate the number of urology and ENT patients on the public waiting list."

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