In a drive to substantially address surgical backlogs in Limpopo province, a situation that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Limpopo Department of Health (LDoH) is collaborating with Netcare Pholoso Hospital in Polokwane to assist in performing much-needed surgery on patients who have in recent months been awaiting certain ophthalmic, vascular, gynaecological and orthopaedic procedures.
As part of the immense collaborative public-private partnership, surgical teams from both the LDoH and Netcare Pholoso Hospital is undertaking 80 cataract surgeries for patients from the Mopani district in Limpopo. They will also be performing vascular surgery for 56 patients requiring permanent catheters for renal dialysis treatment.
This collaborative initiative is part of the LDoH’s short-term strategy to deal with surgical backlogs across all surgical disciplines,” said Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba. “It is part of our ‘#RuralHealthMatters’ approach to aggressively address such backlogs and bring healthcare to the people of the province at this critical juncture in our nation’s history.”
“The Limpopo Department of Health has been aggressively taking specialised surgical services to the rural regional and district hospitals in a co-ordinated outreach approach to not only to address surgical backlog but also to strengthen the capability of our rural hospitals in a sustainable manner. This collaboration complements our interventions.”
“We are pleased to have achieved this partnership and collaboration with Netcare Pholoso Hospital. This demonstrates how we can work together to address the healthcare challenges facing the communities of the province as we move towards the realisation of universal health coverage. We are showing that something can and will be done, and appeal to the people of the community to consult their health facilities should they have concerns about their health.”
Jacques du Plessis, managing director of Netcare’s Hospital division congratulated Dr Ramathuba and the Limpopo Department of Health on their efforts to improve healthcare accessibility for the people of Limpopo.
“Netcare and Netcare Pholoso Hospital are delighted to be partnering with the LDoH under the great vision and leadership of Dr Ramathuba. This initiative will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many individuals and their families within the province. By collaborating with private healthcare providers, provincial budgets can be stretched substantially further for maximum impact.
“Netcare is of the view that partnerships such as this demonstrate that it is possible for the public and private sectors to work together to improve the healthcare landscape for the good of individuals and communities,” added Fabion Bennett, general manager of Netcare Pholoso Hospital.
“Neither the private nor the public sector has the means to tackle the healthcare challenges that South Africa faces on their own. Together, however, the two can make really meaningful strides in developing an infrastructure that provides healthcare that is more equitable for all. This partnership points the way to the future and offers a way forward for the healthcare sector as a whole as we prepare for the implementation of National Health Insurance [NHI].”
Dr Ramathuba says that the collaboration also involves Netcare and the Department working together to recruit scarce clinical skills and talent into the Limpopo province and to retain these skills in the Limpopo Province.
“These innovative and ground-breaking interventions are made possible by the passion and commitment of talented young health system leaders and clinicians in the Public and private sector who are driven to make a meaningful change in the lives of all South Africans and to make NHI a reality.”
“It is most rewarding to see how highly skilled clinicians who deliver word class clinical care are showing their commitment to Limpopo province – where they grew up and returned to. Now they are making a meaningful contribution to changing the lives of all the people of the region,” Dr Ramathuba concluded.
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To find out more about the services offered through Netcare hospitals and other of the Group’s facilities, please contact Netcare’s customer service centre either by email at [email protected] or phone 0860 NETCARE (0860 638 2273). Note that the centre operates Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 16:00.
Looking for a medical appointment? Netcare appointmed™ will make appointments with specialists practising at Netcare hospitals, GPs and dentists at Medicross medical and dental centres, and specialists at Akeso mental health facilities for YOU. Simply phone Netcare appointmed™ on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 17:00, or go online at www.netcare.co.za/Request-a-medical-appointment to request an appointment.
For more information on this media release, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare, Netcare Pholoso Hospital and the Limpopo Department of Health
Contact: Martina Nicholson, Graeme Swinney, Meggan Saville and Estene Lotriet-Vorster
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]