www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za
• ISSUE 43 l SUMMER 2020/21
FIND US ON YOUR FREE COPY TO TAKE HOME
HIGHER GROUND EMBRACING THE FUTURE: RACHEL AND SIYA KOLISI
CARE EXPERT • VALUE-BASED CARE • TELEHEALTH • STROKE PROJECT
Cover.indd 1 2021/02/11 13:25 MC Ads 4 2020/12/21 11:06 ISSUE 43 | SUMMER 2020/21 CONTENTS n this issue you will read about COVID-19, and how UP FRONT Mediclinic responded to I 2 THE BIG PICTURE an unprecedented, global public The da Vinci Surgical System. health crisis by prioritising the most important element of the 4 MAILBOX healthcare industry: staff and Your emails and social media posts. patients. You will read about 6 COLUMN innovations, and value-based care, Care. Courage. Compassion. and thought leadership and the art of embracing change. COVER STORY But most of all you will read 8 RACHEL & SIYA KOLISI about people. ... are doing good, hard work where People like Rachel and Siya it matters most: in the everyday Kolisi, who are using their lives of ordinary South Africans. enormous public profi le to bring about real, lasting change in the homes and lives of ordinary CHECK UP South Africans. Bertha Meltzer, 14 THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE who survived dystentery, double Welcome to our better normal. pneumonia and COVID-19 at the 16 WHAT IS CARE EXPERT? grand old age of 104, and Levin Hip and knee surgery, with quality Brown, who was born at and cost in mind. 27 weeks, weighing just 18 WELCOME TO WEBSIDE CARE 800 grams, and was diagnosed The many benefits of telehealth. ON OUR COVER with coronavirus disease as Rachel & Siya Kolisi 20 TIME IS BRAIN COURTESY he was delivered. Dr Basil Bonner, Slingshot Media who is leading a change in the Our hospitals provide world-leading way we conduct orthopaedic treatment for stroke patients. surgery, and Dr Nico Enslin, 21 IMPROVING EPILEPSY OUTCOMES who is exploring new, world- Advances in neuromodulation. class ways of treating age-old 22 EXCELLENT EMERGENCY CARE brain conditions. Ricardo Jailers, Mediclinic offers state-of-the-art who saw a mom come into his emergency centres of excellence. hospital, frantic, and ran, while carrying her baby, to neonatal intensive care. Deon Arnoldus, CHECK IN a fi refi ghter, and Christine 24 HERE FOR YOU Williams, a nurse, who have spent A nurse. A firefighter. A centenarian. their lives helping others, and who A newborn child. These are just four found comforting, considerate faces of our fight against COVID-19. care within the Mediclinic family when they needed it most. CHECK OUT Innovation matters, and expertise, and value. How we 34 FOOD & NUTRITION DID YOU KNOW? respond to change, and how Salads with serious substance. You can download this we build a better future. Why? 42 YOUR HOSPITAL STAY and past issues Because of our nurses and Where to find us, and what you for free at doctors, our patients and their need to know. mediclinicinfohub.co.za families: these people matter. Life 44 GAME TIME matters, and love. You matter. Test your brainpower. 48 MEDICLINIC PEOPLE Thomas Okes, Editor Meet Ricardo Jailers.
Email your Mediclinic story to [email protected] and you could win a fantastic WIN! prize. Turn to page 4 to see our readers’ letters.
Visit our INFOHUB www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za
01_Summer_contents.indd 1 2021/02/16 15:38 UP FRONT BIG PICTURE | PERFECT PRECISION Since its launch at Mediclinic Durbanville in 2016, the da Vinci Surgical System has performed many miracles.
Big Picture.indd 2 2021/02/10 11:18 r Frikkie Rademan from Mediclinic Durbanville and Dr Reniel de Beer performed the fi rst robotic adrenalectomy in 2018. A short while later, Dr Gawie Bruwer from Mediclinic Durbanville made Dhistory by performing his 500th robotic radical prostatectomy – including a world-fi rst simultaneous rectal and prostate procedure.
What does the da Vinci o! er?
+ Greater surgical precision + Increased range of motion + Improved dexterity + Enhanced visualisation, including areas that may not be seen by the naked eye + Improved access to hard-to-reach areas + Improved ability to spare healthy tissue not impacted by cancer
Soon, da Vinci procedures will be captured by an innovative, future- focused, clinical outcomes database – which is designed to help doctors provide better, more e" cient care for their patients.
Big Picture.indd 3 2021/02/10 11:18 UP FRONT | MAILBOX
We love hearing from you. Congratulations to Robert Yentob, who wins a Mediclinic INBOX scale for his winning letter.
WINNING LETTER My son was admitted to Mediclinic a long way from home, especially when WHAT YOU SAID ON Cape Town with what turned out to you are unable to travel. Dr Govender be COVID-19. Dr Neville Govender and found the time to contact us each day to social media his team did a wonderful job in the give us an update on our son’s condition. facilitation of his recovery and I want to The importance of those calls cannot thank them for what they did. We live be overestimated. We commend his in the United Kingdom and it is very compassion and his obvious expertise. di" cult when your children are unwell Robert Yentob Fonyoza @Z_duli @Mediclinic Milnerton branch has the best service I’ve ever seen.
My wife has just given birth to our I want to commend the nurses for second son at Mediclinic Midstream. their professionalism, dedication and Both times we have been blown care during my stay at Mediclinic away by the exceptional service and Cape Gate. Your establishment is Ivan Meyer expertise of everyone we encountered blessed with nursing sta! and other @ivan2meyer Thank you to the professional staff at supporting sta! , working both day at the hospital. We would like to @Mediclinic Cape Gate. Friendly and personally thank our gynaecologists and night shifts, who are extremely professional staff are part of creating Dr Ockie van Schalkwyk, Dr Markram, friendly and professional. I know that human dignity and wellbeing. #Wellbeing paediatricians Drs Van der Vyfer and they are working under tremendous and #dignity @WesternCapeGov Vermaak, the nurses, anaesthetist, strain during this time, but I think #economicrecovery #letsgowork NICU nurses, receptionists, hosts and they are shining stars and beacons security at the doors. You all made the of hope. experience so much easier for both my Marsha Ross wife and me. We are eternally grateful. Motshidisi Mohono Chantelle and RJ Vischer @MotshidisiM Safe and sound, and on the mend, after my I would like to say thank you so procedure last Friday. Now to rest and much for the care you are giving to recover. Thank you to my Dr, and to the amazing team of nurses at Mediclinic I was admitted to the emergency patients who come through your Morningside. I appreciate you all centre at Mediclinic Hermanus and doors at Mediclinic Potchefstroom subsequently transferred to the during these di" cult times, from the hospital’s ICU in July 2020, after sta! at reception to those who assist su! ering an accident while riding patients to the wards, the doctors my bike. I would like to extend my and nurses who receive them in Tim Bradley thanks and gratitude to all your sta! , the wards and those who attend to @TimBradleyZA from reception to doctors and nurses, them on a daily basis, and also those @Mediclinic a massive thank you to the team in Sandton... Small procedure done who are presently nursing to heal who gave expert and compassionate yesterday and everyone from the COVID treatment to help me be discharged a COVID-19 patients who have been screening to the porters to the physios and few days later. Thanks again. It is good placed in isolation. I am so proud of especially the nurses made everything to know that great medical treatment you all. Your commitment to your smooth and relaxing... Can’t show my is available in these di" cult times. profession is commended. appreciation enough... Thank you! D Gooding Anonymous
EMAIL US [email protected]
@MediclinicSouthernAfrica @Mediclinic @MediclinicSouthernAfrica
Mailbox.indd 4 2021/02/10 12:43 MC Ads.indd 1 2020/12/21 14:50 UP FRONT | COLUMN CARE. COURAGE. COMPASSION.
NIMMI BISWARDUTT is a nurse at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg. When she was diagnosed with COVID-19, she felt what it was like to be cared for – and why it makes a di!erence.
’ve been working at What kept me going? My colleagues. Mediclinic for 19 years, The nurses here are unbelievable. And in total. These days I am I can say that now, not just because I a senior professional I’m one of them. I’ve seen it. You are nurse in the cardiac intensive care so vulnerable and weak when you’re unit. Typically, I’m a shift leader, which in that bed, that the care you receive means I help supervise enrolled nurses is so important. and take over rounds when needed, to Flu"ng a pillow, holding my hand. check that our patients are receiving Passing me water. Such small things! the care they need. In that moment they were huge. You When the COVID-19 outbreak don’t forget those moments. They was declared a global pandemic in made me feel seen and loved. March 2020, the hospital became It is a blessing to have people in pretty busy. The unit was adapted to your life, to make lasting connections. accommodate patients in separate anything. It was a strange feeling, It is a privilege to be able to do rooms, and we were nursing patients as though I had forgotten how to meaningful things for others. The love who were isolated. It was a crazy time. taste. I called my local physician and and compassion those nurses had for So when I started feeling sore in my over the phone, he said, “You have me, I could see reflected back on me, shoulders, I thought it was because I’d COVID-19.” I told him, “No, I don’t and on what I do. been overworked, pushing myself to think so. It’s my whiplash, it’s work.” We always do our best to make the limit, as we all were. I was nursing But fever, body pain, and now a loss our patients comfortable. That is part an old whiplash injury too, from an of taste? He was adamant. I tested and parcel of our role in the hospital. accident. One day I was sitting in positive in the Emergency Centre that When you experience being a patient, the reception and I suddenly started same day, 9 July. you realise the simplest things you do shivering. I felt very cold, all over. I was very emotional. I kept thinking, for people matter the most. You think The real alarm bells started ringing how did this happen? In the cardiac of all you do, your usual routines and when I realised that I couldn’t taste ICU we were well equipped with approaches, and you learn how to do personal protective equipment, and things di#erently, better. careful about following safety and I was so excited when my doctor social distancing protocols. But really, said I was going home. I was just so my main concern was my daughters. happy to see my family and to know YOU ARE SO WEAK Would they be okay? that everything went well; to know, When you are on the other end of the I’ve made it through. AND VULNERABLE bed, you don’t realise how weak and Protect yourself and protect those WHEN YOU’RE IN vulnerable patients can feel. I was so around you. Please be cautious as this THAT BED, THAT THE weak, I was dozing in and out. It might virus knows no bounds, social status
CARE YOU RECEIVE sound like a small thing, but taking a or class. IMAGES IMAGES GALLO/GETTY IS SO IMPORTANT. shower was a challenge. I was so tired, Please practise social distancing so out of breath, I had to sit on a chair to and wear a mask. After experiencing try to get my breath back. As soon as I COVID-19, I would not wish it on my got into bed, I’d go back onto oxygen. worst enemy. PHOTOGRAPH
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HIGH RE LED BY TWO OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST RECOGNISABLE PUBLIC FIGURES, THE KOLISI FOUNDATION IS DOING GOOD, HARD WORK WHERE IT MATTERS MOST: IN THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF ORDINARY SOUTH AFRICANS. GROUND WORDS THOMAS OKES
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November, 2019. A man and his wife stand in a hotel 1 corridor in Japan. In the morning, everything will change. Under the lights of International Stadium Yokohama, in front of 70 000 people, a televised audience of nearly 13 million, he will become the first black Springbok captain – and in fact the first black captain, from anywhere – to lift the Rugby World Cup. But for now there is no-one else. One quiet moment, before the chaos, before the lights and noise, before the fame. She puts a hand on his shoulder. “So listen, how do you feel about starting a foundation?” 20 March, 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan Province, China, has just been declared a global pandemic. South Africa stands on the brink of the worst public health crisis in its history. A national lockdown looms, along with an economic downturn that threatens lives and livelihoods in the country’s poorest communities. Rachel and Siya Kolisi walk with a wheelbarrow of food through a township in Makhado, Limpopo. He kneels to speak with an old man in a plastic chair. She smiles and greets a group of children playing in the street. They have a young family and a public profile unmatched in South Africa. They could be anywhere. Safe at home, or insulated overseas. PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS JOUBERT, BLACK BEAN PRODUCTIONS Instead, they’re here. “When we talk about the country or the state of our nation, it’s easy to say, we all have a responsibility or a duty to want to change things for the better,” says Rachel Kolisi. “But without action, those are just words. You have to ask, what do people need? I have two hands, what can I do? Real work is harder. Real work is what matters.”
CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
Siya Kolisi’s mother passed away when he was 15, and he was raised by his grandmother, in a two-bedroom house along with five other people, in Zwide, Port Elizabeth. Growing up, Siya was no stranger to hardship and to hunger. Twelve years later he became the first black man to lead the Springboks. “People who live in South African townships are not vulnerable,” PHOTOGRAPHS GARY VAN WYK, BLACK BEAN PRODUCTIONS Rachel says. “Their situations are
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PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS JOUBERT, BLACK BEAN PRODUCTIONS PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS JOUBERT, BLACK BEAN PRODUCTIONS
vulnerable. But they have hope and insecurity by providing much-needed there is hope around them. When we food assistance for a minimum of started working with people in the three months, per family. Another is community, it was a reality check. the Newborns Trust Group, where they People are living and surviving in spend time with moms and babies dire circumstances. But that takes at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit strength, and ingenuity. I’ve seen it. (NICU) at Groote Schuur Hospital. It takes drive, and that drives us.” Yet another is the Bombers, Siya’s old PEOPLE ARE The Kolisi Foundation has a vision: rugby club, which gives men from the to change narratives of inequality in community an opportunity to develop LIVING IN DIRE South Africa. The Kolisi Foundation their talent. seeks to support people living in Small organisations, heartfelt CIRCUMSTANCES. under-resourced communities in connections. Real people. Real South Africa, by providing emergency change. “We are not trying in any BUT THAT TAKES and disaster relief, facilitating way to swoop in and look like heroes,” STRENGTH, AND capacity-building and horizontal Rachel explains. “We don’t have learning exchanges, and mobilising some kind of saviour complex that THAT DRIVES US. and advocating for systemic change. feeds our ego. Our intention with this One of those partnerships is foundation is to find small groups that #Each1Feed1, where the Kolisi are under-recognised, underfunded Foundation, Nelson Mandela and under-supported. Organisations, PHOTOGRAPHS GARY VAN WYK, BLACK BEAN PRODUCTIONS Foundation and Imbumba Foundation and in many cases just ordinary, good- work together to combat food hearted people, who are working hard
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PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS JOUBERT, BLACK BEAN PRODUCTIONS
on the ground to make opportunities sta! and patients, while spending time address the root cause by mentoring available and accessible – to find them, educating children and their parents and guiding young boys and men who shine a spotlight on the work they in the community about coronavirus are still in school. do, so that they can do more of it, for disease and the value of preventative The aim: to address age-old longer. That is what positive change measures, such as regular hand challenges in new ways. “Siya and looks like, for us.” hygiene and wearing masks. I have a profile, and with that comes Rachel has worked with Ndzondelelo a responsibility. If young people look DO BETTER. BE BETTER High School, in Siya’s home town, up to us, we have to be deliberate to provide free sanitary pads for about the values we live out, and Rachel and Siya met eight years ago, schoolgirls. The foundation has also model the change we want to see, and the spark that brought them refurbished classrooms, bathrooms, the change we all need.” together then burns brightly today. libraries and vegetable gardens, At times, that can be major “His heart is enormous,” she says, “and provided books and school shoes, change, such as addressing a rural he is a person who lives for people. as well as mentoring young children school’s water shortage by investing We’ve both grown up together, at Zeekoevlei and Vanguard Primary in a borehole. But it can also take wanting to reach out and make Schools, in Cape Town. the more subtle form of being a di!erence. We want to spend less They’ve also tackled gender- better in small, everyday ways. time moaning about things, and more based violence. By partnering with “Unemployment, inequality, violence. time working towards a better way.” trusted non-profit organisations We talk about these a lot, as South The Kolisi Foundation formalises and community leaders, the Kolisi Africans, but what are we really that passion by bringing urgent Foundation sourced, compiled and saying to each other?” asks Rachel. conversations to the forefront of distributed a series of Power2You “What are we asking of ourselves? SUPPLIED BY THE KOLISI FOUNDATION THE KOLISI SUPPLIED BY
public attention. They assisted state Packs – Comprised of pepper-spray, These are di"cult conversations to hospitals in Livingston, Khayelitsha and a whistle and a journal with resourceful have but that doesn’t mean they have Eerste River with alcohol-based hand information about seeking justice, legal to be negative. There are fights out sanitiser, FFP2 Certified Respirator advice and healing. They also support there that can be won, and there is face masks, visors and masks for both shelters and homes for survivors, and fight in each and every one of us.” PHOTOGRAPHS
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ONE BY ONE with experienced relevant groups on these days, can feel like a radical act. the ground. When people reach out But my time is not more valuable Visiting orphanages. Initiating iPad to them, Rachel and Siya work with than anyone else’s. We have to make learning programmes. Installing solar NPOs and NGOs to create a planned, listening a habit.” lighting in rural communities. These structured response. “Our DMs are a are huge projects. And yes, says mess of people asking for all kinds of A BETTER NORMAL Rachel, that can be daunting. What help. So yes, it can feel overwhelming. keeps them focused? People. But we have to be patient, and we During the 2019 Rugby World Cup, “People in townships are not have to listen to the experts in the between gym work, team talks and looking for handouts. What they need community, and trust them and work practice sessions, Siya would change are opportunities. They are brave, and with them. And I tell you, it is worth it. nappies. “The first black captain strong, and courageous, and whatever Because when you get it right of the Springboks. The first black their circumstances, they make a – you find the right partner for the captain, ever, going into a World plan, for the sake of their families. right person, and you see them three Cup final. That’s a lot to carry,” says Their children, their grandkids. To months later, and they’re thriving... Rachel. “So I decided that when manage that takes unimaginable That’s change. That pushes me. Let’s he was with us, he was going to be resourcefulness. We meet these do it some more.” completely with us. Feed the kids, people, we hear their stories and Changing the world starts with manage the nap times, to capture his we start making plans: what can changing yourself. Being open to whole mind, and get him to focus on we do? Because it’s obvious. They a better way forward, says Rachel, just being here.” just need that one chance. They is easier and more impactful than you One thing that never came up? deserve that chance.” might think. “Listening to someone, Losing. “We had our date nights in Bryan Diamond is one example. At the hotel corridor. Once the kids were the age of three he was caught in the in bed, he would go get sushi, and we crossfire of gang warfare, a tragedy would sit on the floor and chat. And that left him brain-damaged. The not once did we discuss what would Kolisi Foundation was able to assist happen if we lost that final. We just by constructing a new, wheelchair- knew, and we asked, what’s next?” friendly home for his family. Then November, 2019. 65 minutes into there’s Lungi, who manages a team the game, Makazole Mapimpi collects of volunteers in feeding over WHEN WE TALK a pass from Lukhanyo Am and goes 900 children and elders in Gugulethu, over for South Africa’s first ever try Khayelitsha and Joe Slovo every day. ABOUT CHANGE, in a World Cup final. Smiling, excited, And Grace, who has taken it upon he is embraced by his teammates in herself to provide safe housing and ARE WE TALKING an iconic, freeze-frame moment that regular meals for abused women and still appears on billboards across neglected children in her community. ABOUT the country more than a year later. Everyone has a story, says Rachel, Mapimpi himself has his own story, his and everyone has a battle. The Kolisi IMPROVEMENT? own battle. Having grown up in a rural Foundation plays a supportive role village in the Eastern Cape, he had in partnering to help make projects THERE ARE NO no father figure and lost his mother sustainable – developing Lungi’s EASY ANSWERS. at the age of four. And he took that computing and managerial skills, pass just as he’s taken every other for example, and empowering her WORK IS THE opportunity that has come his way to build her team and feed more ever since: with conviction, and pride. children for years to come, or setting ANSWER: “When we talk about change, are up a crowdfunding initiative for we talking about improvement?” Grace, giving her a source of revenue CONSTANT, asks Rachel. “We want corruption to to continue her valuable work. end. We want violence to disappear. To make a success of his life, Siya UPLIFTING, GOOD, Inequality, poverty; we talk about had to leave the township where these issues as if there are simple he was born. “Why is that normal?” COLLABORATIVE, answers. There are no easy answers. Rachel asks. “Why is that the better Work is the answer: constant, way – to take these kids away from HARD WORK. AND uplifting, good, collaborative, hard their home? We believe they can work. And we can do it, together.” thrive as and where they are, without WE CAN DO IT, Fast-forward half an hour, and needing to move or change. They Siya lifts the trophy. Fast-forward are capable, clever and determined. TOGETHER. a few months, and he and his wife are What they are not, unfortunately, knocking on doors holding armfuls SUPPLIED BY THE KOLISI FOUNDATION THE KOLISI SUPPLIED BY is connected.” of food. These gestures are not The Kolisi Foundation is able to disconnected. They are the same. enact change across a spectrum They are equally powerful, and they of social challenges by connecting are proof: we can be better, together. PHOTOGRAPHS
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Cover feature UPDATED.indd 13 2021/02/16 14:48 CHECK UP | FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE BETTER NORMAL Mediclinic’s PATIENT-FIRST PHILOSOPHY is evolving, with a number of next-generation, digital-first initiatives designed to ensure an integrated, accessible, value-based treatment journey. Welcome to our better normal.
ealthcare is changing. That’s not a secret. But what is new is our “Happroach to that change. Are we positive about it, and proactive? Are our teams and facilities empowered to provide in new ways for our patients? With every interaction, with every consultation and procedure, for the sake of the people who rely on us, let’s help to improve the experience of every single person who visits our hospitals.” Koert Pretorius is passionate about patients. Mediclinic has long put the patient at the centre of every aspect of the business, innovating and evolving in order to ensure we are able to o"er expert, appropriate care across a range of specialisms. Now, his focus is on the future. The CEO of Mediclinic Southern Africa is currently overseeing the hospital group’s wide-ranging response to the region’s worst-ever public health crisis – an experience that left him, and his executive management committee, more forward-focused than ever. “In healthcare, value is everything,” explains Pretorius. “But what does value look like in this changing landscape? When we say we are positive about change, we mean we are passionate about giving patients the right treatment, in the right place, at the right healthcare. Mediclinic is expanding to expensive commodity,” says Pretorius. time and at the right price. It means we answer these concerns by initiating “When we look at the costs of specialist put our patients, and what they want personalised solutions that make quality salaries or world-class medical and and need, first.” healthcare more e!cient, and more technological equipment – healthcare accessible, than ever. To do this, the is expensive to provide, and it is
THE VALUE OF CARE group is growing its continuum of care expensive to consume. And this is RAHIM SHAVAN
in new and exciting directions. a worldwide challenge.” A rapidly evolving world has “In developed and developing Mediclinic is changing the delivery prospective patients thinking carefully countries alike, in both the public- and models of its services to meet that
about the where, when and how of their private-sector context, healthcare is an challenge for the benefit of our patients. PHOTOGRAPH
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“There is a need to migrate healthcare, based healthcare accessible to to think of starting a family, or in where possible, out of the acute hospital everyone, in the most appropriate way. another country, and you need specialist environment and into more cost- If you would like emergency treatment follow-up care even years after surgery, e!ective, more appropriate settings that on the scene of an accident, or want to those are drastically di!erent scenarios suit the patient better. That may be in book a check-up or schedule an elective that we can help address in much the their doctor’s consulting rooms, or even procedure, or even require major same way: we aim to bring our expertise in their own homes, via video link.” surgery, there are pathways in place to into the palm of your hand.” Day clinics, for example, enable ensure you enjoy a simple, integrated Patients now have access to doctors and hospitals to perform and e"cient experience throughout. evergreen expertise via client-facing procedures at a more a!ordable rate, These are major benefits, says initiatives such as Mediclinic Baby, and achieve quality clinical outcomes. Pretorius, but that’s not all. for those wanting to start a family, Mediclinic has developed co-located and Mediclinic Prime, for those who Day clinics at seven hospitals, including THE VALUE OF CONNECTION are active and want to focus on a Durbanville, Stellenbosch, Nelspruit, continued healthy lifestyle. These Limpopo and Welkom. These facilities The way people engage with their programmes help establish a accommodate planned procedures, and healthcare is changing, says Pretorius. relationship between a patient and allow for admission and discharge on “Whether it is because of the way the their prospective doctor before the same day, providing a high standard COVID-19 pandemic has focused our they need care. More crucially, they of clinical care. attention on viruses and ventilators, or help establish a relationship of trust Another advancement that puts simply because we are more connected, between Mediclinic and our patients. the patient’s changing requirements via social media, than ever, we find Public-facing applications help first is Mediclinic’s recent partnership people are more knowledgeable when patients lean on trustworthy expertise with Intercare, a nationwide group of it comes to their health than even a to understand their conditions, and primary healthcare centres that are few years ago. That is a good thing. It their options, better than ever, and home to general practitioners, nurses, means our patients are interested, and they allow Mediclinic to take better pharmacists and allied health providers, invested. And we want them to know care of our patients, over the course such as dentists. These centres have that when they have questions, we are of a lifetime. also explored opportunities in the here for them.” Mediclinic envisions a more e"cient form of virtual consultations that While an expanded continuum of treatment journey, which begins long are transforming the quality and care makes access to expert healthcare before an initial consultation and accessibility of care our patients easier and more a!ordable for all, extends to well after recovery: receive, says Pretorius. Mediclinic aims to take that strategy a clinical pathway that interconnects A further enhancement of the a step further. Delivering expert care a multidisciplinary team of specialists, patient journey is Mediclinic’s Private in person, or in a facility, is no longer all drawing on a unified patient record. Fixed Fees, a programme that o!ers necessarily what many patients want These are e"ciencies designed to a bouquet of diagnostic and surgical or need. ensure a better outcome, and a procedures at a predictable and “When you look at the way patients better experience. transparent rate. Mediclinic’s Private are treated over years, typically, the “The way we engage with our Fixed Fees are a quoted amount for healthcare they receive is unfortunately patients, and the way we design a planned procedure that includes a fragmented experience,” Pretorius and construct our continuum of the hospital costs related to the says. “This means you will consult with care, all of this is with one goal clinical treatment received for the a GP, see a specialist or surgeon, and in mind: we want to continually duration of stay in hospital, regardless receive years of ongoing rehabilitative improve the standard of our care,” of the level of care required. The goal care, all as separate steps and says Pretorius. is simple: to provide peace of mind for segmented processes, even in di!erent Change is inevitable, and change private-paying patients who prioritise a places and at di!erent rates. In that is good. “We hear so much about predictable, transparent experience. way, patients will waste not only money, how we are living in a new normal. Patients now have access to but time, as they navigate a condition But we don’t want to go backwards, high-quality, e"cient care across or procedure. That’s not ideal. It could or to keep on doing the same things an ever-wider spectrum of services. be easier, and more e"cient, for in the same ways. We want to These partnerships emphasise value- everyone involved.” improve our products, our services, based care by ensuring quality, This is why Mediclinic’s continuum our relationships. We want our
SHAVAN RAHIM SHAVAN measurable outcomes, with less of care is enhanced by a client-facing patients to benefit from an improved
rehabilitation and recovery time, digital backbone, which facilitates experience. We want to be better. at a more a!ordable rate. ongoing, ever-ready engagement And we want to make being better, Mediclinic’s continuum of care is between a patient and their doctor, normal. That’s the future. That’s our
PHOTOGRAPH designed to make quality, evidence- online. “If you are at home, beginning better normal.”
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Future of healthcare.indd 15 2021/02/10 11:38 CHECK UP | CARE EXPERT WHAT IS CARE EXPERT?
Care Expert is Mediclinic’s new VALUE-BASED care model for patients who need hip and knee surgery – and helps bring together multiple facets of treatment into a streamlined, team-led journey. What you can expect: financial certainty and excellent outcomes.
WE FOCUS ON VALUE, HIGH CLINICAL STANDARDS,
BEST PRACTICES, IMAGES GALLO/GETTY AND EFFICIENCIES
AT EVERY STEP. PHOTOGRAPH
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Quality care.indd 16 2021/02/10 12:00 CHECK UP | CARE EXPERT
t may begin with swelling determine if surgical treatment is and tenderness in the viable and assessed for various I joints, often the hips and risk factors that may a!ect the knees. Over time, it can process. But that’s not all. They’ll develop into sti!ness, also need to use the services of an drastically reduced range of anaesthetist during surgery, as well motion and chronic pain. Arthritis as a physiotherapist for ongoing is a common condition, and if left follow-up care. If these processes and untreated, it can severely limit your consultations are fragmented across quality of life. THIRTY-FOUR multiple specialists and hospitals, MEDICLINIC patients run the risk of wasting time, potentially extending a stressful Arthroplasty can help. This is HOSPITALS process over months or even years. a complex surgical procedure “We are here to make sure that designed to restore the function of AND 95 doesn’t happen,” says Debbie Uys a joint. Usually, these procedures at Mediclinic Durbanville, one of involve replacing damaged or ORTHOPAEDIC Mediclinic’s team of Care Expert underdeveloped joints in the SURGEONS Navigators. “Right from the first hip or knee with a prosthesis. consultation, through all the The challenge: for any patient, NOW OFFER surgeon’s planning, the day of the orthopaedic surgery can seem procedure itself, and long afterwards a daunting prospect. CARE EXPERT TO as they recover at home – we track THEIR PATIENTS. outcomes. We measure every step “We understand that. After all, of the way to make sure the patient when we talk about hip and knee TO DATE, THE has the best possible experience, replacement procedures, we mean at the most a#ordable rate.” major surgery,” says Dr Basil Bonner, PROGRAMME Clinical Product Development The Care Expert Navigator works Manager: Mediclinic Southern HAS FACILITATED closely with each patient to ensure Africa. “There are many steps and MORE THAN they’re achieving pre-set goals specialists involved along the way. in their individualised course of Patients have questions, of course, 6 500 recovery – and ensures the records and concerns. Wherever we can, we of a patient’s progress are stored must be motivated to simplify the SURGERIES. and fed back to both sta! and whole process for them.” specialists. In this way, Care Expert o!ers doctors valuable insights That’s where Mediclinic’s Care from hands-on, recent experience, Expert comes in. This countrywide empowering them to provide ever- initiative is designed to make improving, more accurate care for orthopaedic surgery simpler new patients. and more accessible for all. It’s a tailored product that provides the Quality and cost work together, reassurance of an orchestrated says Dr Bonner. “The procedure is multidisciplinary approach to hip Why? “Because we know integrated now a package, if we can explain and knee replacement surgery. care brings value to patients.” it that way. We collect and examine Thirty-four participating Mediclinic data to measure outcomes, and we “The orthopaedic surgeon, the hospitals and 95 orthopaedic are transparent about costs. This is hospital, anaesthetist, physiotherapist: surgeons now o!er Care Expert not e"ciency for the sake of making before, these were separate steps and to their patients. To date, the things faster. We want to make processes. With Care Expert, it’s a programme has facilitated more the process better. High-quality
GALLO/GETTY IMAGES IMAGES GALLO/GETTY more streamlined, e"cient journey,” than 6 500 surgeries. outcomes. A!ordable costs. That says Dr Bonner. “We focus on is real value.” value, high clinical standards, When a patient is referred to an best practices, and e"ciencies orthopaedic surgeon for surgical For more information, visit
PHOTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPH at every step.” treatment, they’re examined to mediclinic.co.za
SUMMER 2020/21 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I 17
Quality care.indd 17 2021/02/10 12:00 CHECK UP | TELEHEALTH WELCOME TO WEBSIDE CARE
TELEHEALTH empowers new and follow-up patients to connect with their preferred healthcare professionals through video calls and over the phone. Remote consultations are convenient, cost-e!ective, clinically safe, and best of all, here to stay.
nyone who su!ers from a chronic A medical condition understands the value and necessity of access to ongoing, regular care – and how easy it is for that treatment journey to become interrupted over the course of a lifetime. Telehealth can help. When the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) published updated legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic, it clarified how, when and why doctors may conduct consultations remotely. When that happened, Mediclinic and its subsidiaries were ready, equipped and prepared to o!er patients a new format of expert care. One of those subsidiaries is Intercare, a group of primary health specialist facilities. “Access to healthcare from a remote setting is vital, and something that has been lacking in South Africa for some time,” says Hendri Hanekom, Group Executive: Strategy & Innovation at the Intercare Group. “We had been planning a telehealth service by testing various platforms and fine-tuning the processes and protocols around this technology. So
when the regulations were IMAGES GALLO/GETTY released, we were ready and waiting to launch our virtual consultations service
to the public.” PHOTOGRAPHS
Welcome to webside care.indd 18 2021/02/10 12:03 CHECK UP | TELEMEDICINE ?
WHAT IS TELEMEDICINE? WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM WHEN DOES IT WORK BEST? VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS? A virtual consultation is a remote If you want to check in with a doctor video conversation between Anyone living with a chronic illness to discuss concerning symptoms, a patient and a healthcare or who is immunocompromised, live upcountry and could benefit professional, giving patients the pregnant, elderly, living in a rural from speaking regularly to your opportunity to receive care without area or disabled may benefit from specialist at a centre of excellence a trip to the doctor’s o!ce. While speaking to their doctor remotely. in another province, or you require a phone or video conversation Patients with mental health ongoing treatment or check-ups. In cannot replace an in-person conditions, such as post-traumatic these situations you can use remote examination, it can supplement stress disorder, depression, ADHD consultations to keep in regular those face-to-face meetings and or anxiety, which need regular and contact with your physician without give patients easy and e!cient ongoing specialist management, leaving home. Telemedicine o#ers access to their specialist. may also find it useful to conduct new answers to age-old obstacles these therapy sessions from home. to expert healthcare.
TODAY, YOU CAN ENJOY UNINTERRUPTED ACCESS TO YOUR SPECIALIST FROM ANYWHERE, AT ANY TIME. NO MORE WAITING ROOMS. NO MORE TRAFFIC. NO MORE COSTLY OR EVEN DANGEROUS GAPS IN YOUR TREATMENT RECORD. !
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF consultations can make it easier for VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS? people to access preventative care and improve their long-term health. While a phone or video conversation Today, you can enjoy uninterrupted cannot replace an in-person access to your specialist from examination, it can supplement anywhere, at any time. those face-to-face meetings and “In the course of a patient’s give patients easy and e!cient treatment journey, their record may access to their specialist. incorporate in-person examinations If your condition makes it di!cult and recordings of remote or inconvenient to see a doctor in consultations,” says Hanekom. “In person as regularly as you’d like, this way, we create a holistic and
GALLO/GETTY IMAGES IMAGES GALLO/GETTY telehealth is a mechanism that centralised overview of a patient facilitates appropriate expert care and their treatment.” and enhances the relationship Speak to your doctor today between you and your doctor. about whether they o#er virtual
PHOTOGRAPHS PHOTOGRAPHS By improving access, virtual consulation services.
SUMMER 2020/21 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I 19
Welcome to webside care.indd 19 2021/02/10 12:03 CHECK IN | STROKE TIME IS BRAIN
Mediclinic hospitals across South Africa are on standby to provide world-leading, evidence-based treatment protocols for stroke patients, with one goal in mind: saving as much BRAIN FUNCTION as possible.
trokes don’t discriminate. pressure, this is known as a hemorrhagic PATIENTS ON AVERAGE WAIT They can happen in the stroke. The other type is an ischaemic 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE THEY TELL blink of an eye. To anyone, stroke, where a vessel becomes blocked, ANYBODY ABOUT THEIR SYMPTOMS S at any time. This is a cutting o# oxygen from the brain. Both This is largely because of fear of the major medical emergency can cause immediate, lasting damage unknown, explains Dr Gardiner. “The that can change your whole life. The to the brain, but require di#erent key to a good outcome is time,” he good news? Mediclinic has spent the treatment protocols to halt the damage. adds. “The earlier a stroke victim is past few years standardising stroke received at the Emergency Centre, the treatment protocols across all our ONCE A STROKE HAS OCCURRED, better – doctors need time to give the hospitals in South Africa. We’ve put in EVERY MINUTE COUNTS patient a CT or MRI scan to determine place ground-breaking processes and By the time a stroke patient arrives in which kind of stroke they are dealing guidelines that ensure stroke patients hospital, the damage has begun, says with, so that they can administer the receive the best, most appropriate, Dr Jaclyn Prim, Emergency Centre most appropriate treatment plan.” evidence-based care – and the project Head: Mediclinic Vergelegen. “We need is showing early, life-saving results. to halt that process to restore blood ACT FAST flow to the brain and prevent lasting To recognise the signs of a stroke, THE BRAIN USES 20% brain damage, so time is crucial. The remember the acronym FAST: OF THE BODY’S OXYGEN earlier we can identify which kind of Face drooping Your brain requires a constant supply stroke has occurred, and when, and Arm weakness of oxygen to function optimally. “The which part of the brain is a#ected, the Slurred speech longer your brain goes without oxygen, earlier we can get you into the correct Time to move. the more brain cells you lose,” explains treatment system – and the better for “Appreciating the need for speed Dr Daniel Fiandeiro, an emergency your brain.” at this stage could be the di#erence medicine specialist at Mediclinic between good outcomes and bad,” says Pietermaritzburg. A stroke occurs when Dr Fiandeiro. “Not all stroke patients blood flow to the brain is interrupted – require the same treatment – what and it can have disastrous consequences. could benefit one, could potentially harm another. So we need to see those BRAIN TISSUE CAN’T WITHSTAND patients soon, we have to move quickly, A LACK OF OXYGEN and we have to be careful too.” This means the brain is damaged within minutes of a stroke occurring – OUR STROKE TREATMENT unlike other tissues in your body, the PROTOCOLS ARE WORLD-CLASS brain has no natural recovery process “A stroke does’t have to be a death to reverse that damage, says Dr John sentence,” says Dr Melanie Stander, Gardiner, an experienced neurologist at Emergency Medicine Manager: Mediclinic Constantiaberg. Early, expert Mediclinic Southern Africa. “If we get medical intervention is crucial, and a stroke patient into the ambulance Mediclinic’s stroke treatment protocols and into the hospital quickly, and can are designed to be speedy and e"cient. identify the right treatment at the right
time, they could possibly recover and IMAGES GALLO/GETTY
ABOUT 80% OF STROKES go on to live a long and healthy life. The ARE ISCHAEMIC IN ORIGIN faster we move, the more we can do – When a blood vessel ruptures and blood and Mediclinic is committed to doing as
flows into the brain substance under much as we can.” PHOTOGRAPH
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Time is brain V1.indd 20 2021/02/10 12:02 CHECK IN | INNOVATION IMPROVING EPILEPSY CARE
Advances in neuromodulation procedures o!er NEW HOPE for patients su!ering from an often misunderstood condition.
pilepsy is common, and electrical or pharmaceutical agents a!ects one in 100 South directly to a targeted area of the brain. Africans. It also has a long E documented history; the HOW IT WORKS condition has been recorded “Deep brain stimulation works by and treated since at least 2000 BC. inserting a thin electrode in a delicate Despite its prevalence, however, it and accurate way into a deep area of remains a debilitating, dangerous the thalamus – the central command and mis- or under-diagnosed disorder. station of the brain. The ‘battery’ “Most people know you can hurt then provides a light electrical yourself during a seizure, whether current to the specific part of the it’s by biting your tongue or hitting brain that is shown to limit seizure your head, crashing while driving activity,” Dr Enslin says. “Vagal nerve or drowning while swimming,” says stimulation delivers a current to a Dr Nico Enslin, a neurosurgeon at small nerve in the neck that relays Mediclinic Constantiaberg. “But it’s currents back to the thalamus and important to realise that while you modulates the frequency and severity have a seizure, your brain does not of seizures in the same way. And RNS receive an adequate supply of oxygen therapy uses an implanted device to – and over time, epileptic seizures can prevent seizures before they begin, in cause great damage to your brain.” much the same way that a pacemaker detects and treats abnormal heart THE CHALLENGE rhythms.” While many people living with involve opening the brain, they can epilepsy manage their seizures cause bleeding and injury. “Plus, THE BENEFITS e!ectively through medication there are certain types of epilepsy Whereas open surgical procedures can in the short term, seizures cause where we can’t localise the origin of require up to 10 days’ recovery time, cognitive dysfunction over time, the seizures to a specific part of the neuromodulation patients go home and many others develop resistance. brain,” Dr Enslin explains. “Certain two to three days after treatment – “These challenges make surgery the syndromes have widespread epilepsy. and straight back to a normal, better preferred option, as it’s the only way In these cases, resective surgery is life. While the e!ects are immediate to completely cure epilepsy,” says not possible.” Now, there is another after therapy, they also improve over Dr Enslin. “But it is not without risks.” option, he adds. time, reducing the severity of seizures further with prolonged use. YOUR OPTIONS THE FUTURE IS HERE A resection procedure, where the part Neuromodulation techniques are an of the brain that causes epilepsy is cut alternative treatment for patients who out completely, is often the first and do not respond to medication. It can best choice, he says. “Disconnection be performed while leaving the brain procedures – in which the part of intact, e!ectively modulating seizures the brain that causes epilepsy is not to a negligible level while reducing removed completely, but rather cut the risk of major surgery. “By applying NEUROMODULATION o! from the rest of the brain – are specific electrical currents to particular TECHNIQUES ARE another popular and e!ective option, parts of the brain, we can reduce the AN ALTERNATIVE especially when the part of the brain severity and frequency of seizures.” that causes epilepsy can’t be resected TREATMENT FOR WHAT IS NEUROMODULATION?
GALLO/GETTY IMAGES IMAGES GALLO/GETTY safely without causing more harm.” PATIENTS WHO DO Deep brain stimulation, vagal NOT RESPOND TO THE RISKS nerve stimulation and responsive These surgeries may cure a patient’s neurostimulation (RNS) therapy are MEDICATION. seizures but as they’re invasive and related but subtly separate procedures PHOTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPH complex surgical techniques that that alter nerve activity by delivering
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MC_Improving epilepsy.indd 21 2021/02/10 11:59 CHECK IN | TRAUMA CENTRES EXCELLENT EMERGENCY CARE
Trauma is its own MEDICAL DISCIPLINE, requiring specialist expertise – and Mediclinic is proud to o!er a state-of-the-art, accredited Trauma Level 2 hospital of excellence.
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Excellent emergency care UPDATED.indd 22 2021/02/10 11:36 CHECK IN | TRAUMA CENTRES
hat is trauma? Close your regardless of the severity of injury. eyes and imagine being in They also provide 24-hour medical W a car accident. An event services, including those of several LEVEL 2 TRAUMA like this is traumatic in common specialties. Both centres CENTRES ARE CAPABLE di!erent ways, having the o!er a complete subset of specialised potential to cause injury internally, surgical and radiological services that OF PROVIDING INITIAL externally and all over the body, while are on site and available immediately. DEFINITIVE TRAUMA overwhelming all emotional response mechanisms. In that scenario you Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg is CARE, REGARDLESS need immediate care from specialists managed by a team of emergency OF THE SEVERITY trained in administering a wide variety medicine specialists. Dr Daniel of complex emergency medical Fiandeiro is a specialist in emergency OF THE INJURY. interventions, in an environment medicine who understands the value geared to provide a multidisciplinary of fast, e#cient treatment. “The faster approach to emergency care. we move, the more we can do – and Mediclinic is committed to doing as A trauma centre is a dedicated much as we can.” facility. What does this mean? Emergency Centres are equipped Mediclinic Bloemfontein is headed and ready to provide lifesaving up by an an expert in paediatric interventions, but trauma trauma care. Dr Michelle Myburgh, centres take that care further by who has a master’s degree in the providing sub-specialty personnel, subject, manages a team of four infrastructure and medical equipment. permanent doctors and 17 sta! in Spaces like these are designed to care total. “The majority of the cases for patients who have been severely we see are children with lacerations, injured, usually to the extent that broken bones, sometimes choking,” multiple organ systems are a!ected. she says. “Even a small injury could They’re equipped with the necessary take a long-lasting emotional toll expertise to provide the best, most if it’s not treated with sensitivity. appropriate possible care. So our approach must be tailored to the child’s experience: we must These centres are accredited make them feel safe, cared for by the Trauma Society of South and relaxed. To create the right Africa. The Trauma Society of South conditions to treat kids properly, Africa attempts to fulfil the aims first we need a calm patient who of the World Health Organization is informed and comfortable.” (WHO) declaration on Emergency Care for the injured in South Trauma patients can expect Africa and provide the standards a seamless treatment journey. for accreditation of Trauma Units Patients who need emergency according to the nationally agreed trauma care are triaged and criteria. These standardised criteria stabilised at the Emergency give hospitals the opportunity to Centre before they are transferred align their sta! and facilities with to the first available operating international best practices. Four theatre if surgical intervention levels are currently recognised, with is required. There, a team led Level 4 centres only required to by a trauma surgeon or general provide basic trauma life support surgeon with trauma experience before patients are transferred for is on standby to perform life-saving definitive care. Level 1 centres are surgery, and patients are further state-of-the-art trauma services. managed through the post-operative recovery period in an intensive JAN RAS Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg is an care unit, where they can benefit accredited Trauma Level 2 hospital from easy access to support of excellence. These Emergency services from a multidisciplinary Centres are capable of providing team of medical and allied health initial definitive trauma care professionals. PHOTOGRAPHS
Excellent emergency care UPDATED.indd 23 2021/02/11 15:53 CHECK OUT | HERE FOR YOU HERE FOR
WORDS THOMAS Y OKES U
A NURSE. A FIREFIGHTER. A CENTENARIAN. A NEWBORN CHILD.
THESE ARE FACES OF THE FUTURE .
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Here for you.indd 24 2021/02/10 11:47 CHECK UP | CHECK OUT
A NURSE. A FIREFIGHTER. A CENTENARIAN. A NEWBORN CHILD.
THESE ARE FACES OF THE FUTURE .
MEDICLINIC FAMILY I SUMMER 2020/21 I 25
Here for you.indd 25 2021/02/10 11:47 CHECK OUT | HERE FOR YOU
ince March 2020, Mediclinic with dysentery, pneumonia in both hospitals across Southern lungs and COVID-19 by pulmonologist S Africa have rallied to fi ght Dr Neville Govender. a new and at times “It came as a shock,” says Lionel. mysterious disease. So have you. “It’s one of those things you think A nurse who has dedicated her entire will happen to someone else, never to working life to helping others. WE HAD TO your family. We were very concerned. A fi refi ghter, who had to learn to That weekend was critical. If she made walk, all over again. A fi erce elderly STAND UP AND it through, there was hope that she lady, over a 100 years old, who was SAY, THIS IS would survive.” born at the height of the Spanish Another challenge: Bertha is a Flu pandemic. And a baby boy, born MY CALLING. sociable, maternal lady, who missed dangerously early, who spent two regular contact with her extended months in hospital. THIS IS WHY I’M family. Mediclinic Cape Town rose These four people are more than to the occasion by setting up video patients. They are role models. In HERE. WE WILL conference calls with her sons and dramatically di! erent shapes and STAND ON THE grandson in the United Kingdom. Lionel sizes, they are success stories. says the family appreciated the regular Survivors. They are healthy. They FRONTLINE communication the most. “There was are happy, and back at home, after no euphemistic language. I didn’t ever surviving the e! ects of a global AND WE WILL feel out of the loop; they called us pandemic and unprecedented public before we thought to call them. It health crisis thanks to innovative, FIGHT. I AM was a great comfort to know she was adaptive and above all expert care. HERE TO SERVE. in expert hands.” They are proof of a process that works. Ten days after being admitted, Bertha was discharged, as nurses lined the halls to give her a well-earned WE ARE PREPARED guard of honour. “It was emotional. Overwhelming. It shows you just how caring they are. We can’t really When the World Health Organization specifi c, clinically reliable medical appreciate enough what healthcare declared the COVID-19 outbreak a advice on who should be tested, workers go through, and what they do.” global pandemic in March 2020, two when and where. In a matter of challenges became immediately clear: days, South Africans had a quick, while members of the public called into easy source of trustworthy answers WE ARE PROACTIVE their nearest hospitals to fi nd out more to urgent questions. about the disease and to understand their risk profi le, healthcare workers FAST, INNOVATIVE CHANGE. The COVID-19 pandemic has given were at risk of being exposed while CAREFUL AND CONSIDERATE. healthcare workers and hospital working with patients. Mediclinic’s employees in South Africa a unique response was swift, and future-focused. Bertha Meltzer was born in 1917 in the challenge. On the frontline of a global Understanding that members of the Free State, after her parents had come public health crisis, they were tasked public didn’t have accurate information to South Africa from Latvia, she grew with treating an infl ux of patients about COVID-19 within those initial up in the midst of the Spanish Flu, a showing signs of a disease that, for a weeks, and certainly didn’t know deadly infl uenza pandemic caused by long time, was not fully understood. with certainty whether they qualifi ed the H1N1 infl uenza A virus that infected Protocols around the use of personal for testing, Mediclinic’s COVID-19 an estimated third of the world’s protective equipment (PPE) were disease task force used cutting-edge population at the time. new, unfamiliar and regularly evolving, technology to make this information Today, she is 104 years old. Fiercely worldwide. Nurses and doctors were readily available, in just a few hours. protective of her independence, she at risk of infection when going to Mediclinic’s cutting-edge goes for regular walks, plays bridge, work, at risk of taking the disease online COVID-19 screening portal loves reading and has a reputation home, and at risk of stigma when translates complex sets of clinical for having been an excellent bowls with friends or family. and epidemiological criteria into a player in her day. But on 15 July, she That is a lot of risk, and it takes a straightforward, easy-to-understand “just didn’t seem herself”, says her mental toll. Knowing COVID-19 would online questionnaire. This tool grandson, Lionel. She was admitted to have a negative impact on the mental empowers the user to access location- Mediclinic Cape Town and diagnosed health and wellbeing of employees
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Here for you.indd 26 2021/02/11 15:54 CHECK OUT | HERE FOR YOU
WE CAN’T REALLY APPRECIATE ENOUGH WHAT HEALTHCARE WORKERS GO THROUGH, AND WHAT THEY DO.
Here for you.indd 27 2021/02/10 11:48 CHECK OUT | HERE FOR YOU
by bringing new challenges to their hazardous crises for the sake of others. Physicians became involved in lives, Mediclinic’s human resources But COVID-19 was on another level, he ongoing discussions, meeting regularly department rallied to support the says. “I don’t remember much. I know to discuss emerging guidelines and needs of frontline healthcare teams. from what people have told me. While constantly sharing their own, anecdotal They launched a series of company- I was laying in bed I started to make experiences via WhatsApp and over wide mechanisms and initiatives, funny noises, my wife said. And the the phone. This spirit of collaboration including internal communication, nurses tell me while I was sedated, I helped grow an emerging clinical body education campaigns and regular was fighting them, trying to pull out the of knowledge. leadership briefings, with one goal: intubation tubes. That’s not like me.” “When we stand up to fight for our to equip employees, doctors and He was in the intensive care unit for patients,” he says, “sometimes that allied health professionals with the 53 days. During that time, doctors were means standing up and asking for help. means to cope with the negative learning on their feet, says Dr Pierre That’s how we stand together. In the psychological e!ects of the pandemic, Tredoux, Deon’s physician at Mediclinic end, even though it was my name on such as traumatic stress, burnout and Durbanville. “I used to tell the families Deon’s patient forms, he was treated compassion fatigue. of my patients, when I spoke to them and cared for by a huge team of While hospital employees have over the phone to give them updates, dedicated professionals.” access to telephonic and individual that when you run into issues when After six weeks in ICU, Deon spent professional psychological counselling treating COVID-19, you can’t go back another three in a step-down facility, via two 24/7 external support helplines, into the textbooks for guidance, yet,” where he learnt how to walk again. His the industrial psychologists and he says. “We relied on support from reward? Seeing his family again. “I was clinical specialists in the HR division one another. It made all the di!erence.” so weak and I could not even lift my also facilitate regular face-to-face and “From the moment this disease was phone to call my family. I was missing virtual employee wellbeing support first reported in South Africa, local them so much. I told myself I must get sessions for frontline employees as part professors of infectious medicine in the better, so I pushed myself to get better. of a targeted support campaign. state sector started a WhatsApp group Being able to see my family again was for physicians who would be managing my biggest motivator.” MINDFUL MANAGEMENT. patients of coronavirus disease. It DILIGENT, COLLABORATIVE CARE. sounds like a small thing, but those discussions grew and grew, over time WE ARE POSITIVE Deon Arnoldus is a firefighter, well and gave us access to cutting-edge accustomed to throwing himself into ways to combat an evolving crisis.” The great thing about South Africans is we pull together when we need to, says Dr Tredoux. “Teamwork. That’s the name of the game against COVID-19.” As early as January 2020, Mediclinic’s coronavirus disease task force had noticed from global patterns that both public and private stakeholders in the healthcare industry had faced numerous challenges in sourcing high volumes of crucial medical equipment that is of appropriate quality – a situation made all the more urgent by growing demand, and subsequent shortages, all over the world. This is why Mediclinic began planning for an e!ective in-hospital response long before COVID-19 was first reported in South Africa. Mediclinic expedited the regular replacement process for ventilators across its local hospitals, ordering the new equipment required ahead of schedule, and optimised the layout of hospital intensive care units to accommodate both additional ventilators and
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Here for you.indd 28 2021/02/11 15:55 Here for you.indd 29 2021/02/10 11:48 CHECK OUT | HERE FOR YOU
necessary nursing personnel. hygiene, the masks and respirators, the risk to the baby, but if you deliver too Mediclinic also invested in temperature guidelines on how, when, where and late, there’s a risk to the mom. On top thermometers specifically for the why to use them – these were all in of that, Christine has been with us for screening environment, including place from the beginning. There was no a long time. Our sta! and our patients mobile testing units and hospital doubt. We knew that we had what we – there is a real connection there. And access areas, and additional, handheld needed, and what it takes, to protect she is part of that family.” video laryngoscopes that allow doctors each other.” Just as tangible was the relief when a close-up look at a patient’s airway Christine Williams has been a nurse Christine was discharged, holding during the intubation process. In line at Mediclinic Panorama ever since she her healthy new boy, surrounded by with a new universal masking policy, left school. “When I started training to cheering nurses and sta!. “He came out nurses and other health workers were become a nurse, through the Mediclinic nice and pink, and shouted the roof o!. provided with surgical masks, aprons, Learning Centre, I didn’t know what I There was absolute elation throughout visors and gloves was getting myself into,” she says. “It the hospital.” for use where appropriate within was exciting. Looking back – whew. It’s Christine had never before the hospital, while all other sta! a career that is a calling.” Christine was been admitted to hospital, and in non-clinical areas were given 33 weeks pregnant when she began was overwhelmed by the support cloth face masks. feeling unwell. “It started with an itchy from her colleagues. “Looking back, At the same time, Mediclinic’s throat, which became a cough. Fever, nursing was a good decision. I can cutting-edge virtual screening loss of taste and smell, and chills. In a see the important part we play for tool adapted to give hospital sta! few days, I had all the symptoms. For our patients. I can’t imagine ever an additional layer of protection. me, the worst part was the shortness doing anything else.” Healthcare workers access the of breath. Because you can’t breathe, hospitals, nationwide, through a series it makes you anxious, and now you are of streamlined access control measures even more short of breath. It’s a vicious conducted by smartphone. cycle, and it gets to you.” Once someone is captured into the Most of that stress was about the WE ARE HERE screening portal they are regularly health of her baby, she explains. “There FOR YOU monitored and invited to connect were a lot of unknowns. We were online, via a real-time messaging pretty far in the pregnancy, but not far platform that e!ectively authorises enough that it would be safe for him When Levin Brown was born sta! for entry based on their to come early. Being pregnant, with at Mediclinic Paarl via emergency assessment results. This gives sta! and coronavirus disease, what does that Caesarean section at 27 weeks, hospital management an automated, mean for my baby? For me?” he weighed 800 grams. He also adaptive way of engaging with sta! That stress was tangible in the had COVID-19, contracted from members day by day. hospital too, says Dr Wasserfall. “A his mom, Lucinda. It was a shock, In this way, sta! are able to have young mom with an unborn child, this she says, as she herself was their own symptoms and vital signs is naturally stressful, of course. If you asymptomatic. monitored, daily, remotely. This deliver the baby too soon, there is a Levin spent 67 days in ICU, where alleviates the burden of memorising he was nursed to a healthy 2kg. At and agonising over potential early that point, he could go home. “He’s warning signs, and grants them just such a pleasure – he doesn’t fuss. the peace of mind of knowing their He doesn’t give us any trouble at all. colleagues are infection-free. He knows he belongs here.” Mediclinic’s response to the COVID-19 A SAFE, EMPOWERING pandemic has been focused on WORK ENVIRONMENT. fighting for a brighter, better future. A SPIRIT OF FAMILY. The kind of future that brings together physicians and firefighters, nurses and Mediclinic is a family, says Dr Marius centenarians, where our family is your Wasserfall, a physician at Mediclinic family. A future where a baby boy Panorama, and the hospital group’s can be born dangerously premature, response to COVID-19 was formulated diagnosed with a new and mysterious with that in mind. “From the executive disease, and not only survive, but thrive. JAN RAS management all the way down to us “When people meet him they on the floor, the measures have been say he could be a celebrity,” says designed to keep sta! and patients Lucinda proudly. “He could be safe. The screening criteria, the hand president one day.” PHOTOGRAPH
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Here for you.indd 30 2021/02/11 15:55 PHOTOGRAPH JAN RAS Here foryou.indd 31 CHECK OUT
| HERE FORYOU 2021/02/10 11:48 REGROWING LOOSE AND/OR FUNGAL DAMAGED NAILS
An innovative approach to a common nail condition Which is better:
FUNGAL-ANTISEPTIC (fungistatic) or a
NAIL-ANTIFUNGAL (fungicide)? Yes, in fact, there is a big di!erence!
An antifungal kills fungi, that is, if there is a fungus; but this is only part of the re-growing process. An antiseptic, on the other hand, stops or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
The conditions under a detached or ‘loose’ nail are usually warm and damp, making it highly susceptible to fungal infection and often the forerunner of a nail fungal infection.
Not all loose or damaged nails are fungal infected and therefore treatment with a short term antifungal, alone, serves little purpose!
The damage caused by these conditions can only be restored by re-growth of the nails. This can take from two months to two years, depending of the size of the nail, the degree of damage and the tempo at which the person’s nails grow. There is no ‘Quick Fix’. If not treated correctly the cavity under the loose or damaged nail can easily become re-infected. It is therefore essential to secure and maintain an antiseptic environment under the loose nail for as long as it takes for the nail to re-grow.
Such long term antiseptic treatment cannot be done with a short term antifungal; what is required is a fungal antiseptic that can be used continuously until the nail has fully regrown.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START TREATMENT The aim is to !x the damaged nail! Fix-4-Nails® softens the nail bed AND inhibits fungi. This is exactly what my nails need to regrow NATURALLY
MC Ads 8 2020/12/21 11:03 My nails are WHAT?! Loose or fungus-damaged? SO WHAT NOW?
The other important factor to consider is the nail bed’s condition.
Professor Richard K. Scher (Clinical Professor of Dermatology) wrote in Nails Magazine: (1 December 1997) “In a loose nail, the nail bed may begin to form a granular layer of abnormal cells on its surface. After six months of detachment, this layer is likely to prevent the adhesion of any new nail tissue, possibly leading to permanent deformity.”
For re-growth the cavity under the nail not only needs to be fungus-free but the nail bed also needs to be soft and without any abnormal cells.
Fix-4-Nails® is unique in this regard. Its mild karatolitic action removes any abnormal granular cells that may form on the surface of the nail bed, thus assuring it stays "exible for as long as it takes the nail to regrow.
Fix-4-Nails® is also a unique OTC (fungistatic) antiseptic that stops and prevents fungal infection of the cavity under the loose nail.
Fix-4-Nails® was speci!cally formulated for restoring loose or fungal damaged nails to their original beauty.
It’s been proven and is today a product of choice, seeing it delivers what the customer expects from and pays for when seeking restoration of their nails.
Fix-4-Nails® can be an important pre-diagnostic aid.
A fungal infection of the nail can only be con!rmed by an expensive laboratory test. Since there are many causes for nails detaching from the nail bed, and that by far the majority are from benign origin, or minor trauma, one can accept that where treatment with Fix-4-Nails® does not visibly aid the re-growth of damaged or loose nails, it may indicate a possible more serious underlying condition which requires a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment.
HAPPY NAILS ARE HERE AGAIN!
www.loosenails.co.za • info@!xfornails.co.za • 0861 999 907 Available from leading Pharmacies
MC Ads 8 2020/12/21 11:04 CHECK OUT | FOOD & NUTRITION
SALADS WITH SUBSTANCE Easy and quick to prepare, these salads use NUTRIENT-RICH vegetables and robust, flavourful greens as a base.
PHOTOGRAPHS JAN RAS RECIPES AND PRODUCTION BRITA DU PLESSIS
34 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I SUMMER 2020/21
Summer recipes.indd 34 2021/02/10 12:01 GRILLED PEACH AND BROCCOLI PESTO PASTA SALAD
Summer recipes.indd 35 2021/02/10 12:01 CHECK OUT | FOOD & NUTRITION
GRILLED PEACH AND BROCCOLI PESTO PASTA SALAD Serves 4
500g small pasta shells 700g broccoli florets or tenderstems 1 cup olive oil ½ cup grated parmesan 1 lemon, zest and juice 1 clove garlic, peeled 1 small green chilli (optional) 30g fresh rocket 4 peaches or nectarines, cut into slices soft mozzarella or goat's cheese
Cook the pasta according to the packaging instructions, rinse and set aside. To make the broccoli pesto, blanch the broccoli in lightly salted boiling water, remove from heat and plunge into cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside a quarter of the broccoli. Roughly chop the remaining broccoli and transfer to a food processor. Add the olive oil, parmesan, lemon juice, zest, garlic and chilli, if using. Blitz to form a loose pesto, adding a little more olive oil if needed. Toss the pesto and pasta together and dish onto a large serving platter. Lightly grill the peaches on a griddle pan. Top the salad with the reserved broccoli, rocket, grilled peaches and mozzarella.
HOT POTATO AND AUBERGINE SALAD Serves 4
700g baby new potatoes 2 aubergines, cubed 4 tbsp olive oil seasoning 200g baby spinach 2 spring onions, sliced 2 rounds dill feta, cubed 100g Spanish chorizo, sliced HOT POTATO AND and sautéed (optional) AUBERGINE SALAD
DRESSING ½ cup double cream plain yoghurt ¼ cup sour cream or crème fraîche 2 cups chopped herbs (dill, parsley, basil) 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
To make the dressing, mix all the ingredients together and set aside until ready to use. >
36 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I SUMMER 2020/21
Summer recipes.indd 36 2021/02/10 12:01 CHECK OUT | FOOD & NUTRITION
CRUNCHY FENNEL, BEAN, APPLE, TROUT AND SPELT SALAD
Summer recipes.indd 37 2021/02/10 12:01 CHECK OUT | FOOD & NUTRITION
Boil the potatoes in salted water for 10 minutes or until just parboiled. Drain and set aside. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line 2 large baking trays with foil or baking paper. Arrange the potatoes and aubergines on separate trays and drizzle with the olive oil and a little seasoning. Roast for 30 minutes, then remove the aubergines and roast the potatoes for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and soft inside. Toss the warm potatoes and aubergines with the spinach and dressing. Sprinkle over the spring onions, feta and chorizo, if using, and serve warm or at room temperature.
FRESH MEDITERRANEAN SALAD Serves 4
500g double cream yoghurt 2 lemons, zest 2 garlic cloves, crushed pinch of chilli flakes 2 pita breads olive oil dried oregano 350g mixed exotic tomatoes, halved 1 small Mediterranean cucumber, diced 160g pitted Kalamata olives 300g crispy cos lettuce, shredded ½ cup chopped dill, mint and parsley
To make the labneh, mix the yoghurt, half the lemon zest, garlic and chilli together. Line a kitchen sieve with a clean muslin cloth and spoon in the yoghurt. Gather up the corners and tie in a knot or secure with an elastic band. Place the sieve over a deep FRESH bowl and leave to drain overnight. Split MEDITERRANEAN SALAD the pita breads into halves, and brush with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano. Place under a pre-heated grill until toasty, slice or break into pieces. To assemble, spoon the labneh onto a large salad plate. Scatter over the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, shredded lettuce, herbs and crispy pita bread, remaining lemon zest and a slick of olive oil. Options: add leftover shredded lamb or lean sliced boneless lamb chops. >
38 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I SUMMER 2020/21
Summer recipes.indd 38 2021/02/10 12:01 MC Ads 7 2020/12/21 11:04 CHECK OUT | FOOD & NUTRITION
CRUNCHY FENNEL, BEAN, APPLE, TROUT AND SPELT SALAD Serves 4
350g green beans 1 fennel bulb with fronds 2 apples juice of 1 lemon 250g precooked spelt 180g flaked hot-smoked trout DRESSING 2 tbsp basil pesto ¼ cup organic white balsamic vinegar ½ cup olive oil
To make the dressing, place all the ingredients into a glass jar and shake well. Set aside until ready to use. Blanch the green beans in lightly salted boiling water. Remove from the heat and plunge into cold water to stop the cooking process, keeping them vibrant and crunchy. Using a mandolin or sharp knife, thinly slice the fennel bulb. Place the fennel slices in iced water with the fronds until ready to serve. Finely slice the apple, and place the slices into a small bowl of water with the lemon juice to avoid discolouration. To assemble, drain the beans, apple, and fennel slices and layer onto a large plate. Heat the spelt according to the packaging instructions and scatter over the salad. Flake the trout over, top with the fennel fronds and drizzle over the dressing.
GRILLED CHICKEN AND MUSTARDY LENTIL SALAD Serves 4 GRILLED CHICKEN AND MUSTARDY LENTIL SALAD 2 chicken breasts 2 tbsp olive oil seasoning 1 tsp mixed dried herbs 280g fine green beans 125g tenderstem broccoli 1 tin lentils, rinsed and drained 1 packet mixed lettuce leaves 140g mange tout 1 red onion, finely sliced To make the dressing, mix all the ingredients few minutes then slice into pieces. Blanch together in a jar and shake well. Mix the lentils the green beans and broccoli in lightly DRESSING and salad leaves together and top with the salted boiling water, remove from the 2 tbsp Dijon mustard chicken slices, green beans, broccoli, mange heat and plunge into cold water to stop 2 tbsp red wine vinegar tout and onions. Butterfly the chicken breasts, the cooking process. 2 tbsp honey brush with the olive oil, and season with salt, 4 tbsp olive oil pepper and herbs. Sauté on a hot griddle pan 1 clove garlic, crushed until cooked through. Set aside to rest for a
MEDICLINIC FAMILY SUMMER 2020/21 40 I I
Summer recipes.indd 40 2021/02/10 12:01 MC Ads 6 2020/12/21 11:01 CHECK OUT YOUR HOSPITAL STAY MADE EASY
PEACE 1 2 3 OF MIND You are welcome to visit the COMPLETE WHEN YOU ARRIVE SETTLE IN Pre-admission Centre at your PRE-ADMISSION + Go to the Admissions desk + A porter will escort you to nearest Mediclinic + Go to mediclinic.co.za. and have your ID book or the nursing unit. for added peace of + Click on Patients. Smart ID and medical aid + A nurse will take down mind. Sta! will be + Click on Online card ready. your medical history, able to advise you Pre-Admission Form. + If you have completed talk to you about on the following: + Fill in your details on the pre-admission form the procedure and + The procedure or the form. online, you will only need explain what to expect. treatment you will to verify your details + It’s best to leave valuables be undergoing. and sign to accept the such as cellphones, + What to expect. YOU CAN ALSO conditions of admission. wallets and jewellery at + Financial DOWNLOAD + If you have not completed home. Or you could let aspects of your A PRINTABLE a pre-admission form, the person who brought hospitalisation, PRE-ADMISSION FORM the Mediclinic sta" at you to hospital take these including IF YOU PREFER. Admissions will gladly items back with them how to do assist you. when they leave. pre-authorisation. + The cover authorised by your medical MEDICLINIC HOSPITAL CARE scheme and any ON YOUR DOORSTEP OR ON THE MOVE exclusions that www.mediclinic.co.za apply to you.
GAUTENG WESTERN CAPE 021 529 9000 Pietermaritzburg 015 290 3600 Mediclinic Emfuleni Mediclinic Cape Gate Mediclinic Paarl 033 845 3700 Mediclinic Limpopo Day 016 950 8000 021 983 5600 021 807 8000 Mediclinic Victoria Clinic 015 230 9400 Mediclinic Heart Mediclinic Cape Gate Mediclinic Panorama 032 945 8200 Mediclinic Thabazimbi Hospital Day Clinic 021 938 2111 FREE STATE 014 777 2097 012 440 0200 021 983 6000 Mediclinic Mediclinic Bloemfontein Mediclinic Tzaneen Mediclinic Kloof Mediclinic Cape Town Plettenberg Bay 051 404 6666 015 306 8500 012 367 4000 021 464 5500 044 501 5100 Mediclinic Hoogland NORTH WEST Mediclinic Legae Mediclinic Mediclinic Stellenbosch 058 307 2000 Mediclinic Brits 012 797 8000 Constantiaberg 021 861 2000 Mediclinic Welkom 012 252 8000 Mediclinic Medforum 021 799 2911 Mediclinic Stellenbosch 057 916 5555 Mediclinic 012 317 6700 Mediclinic Durbanville Day Clinic Welkom Medical Centre Potchefstroom Mediclinic Midstream 021 980 2100 021 861 2000 057 916 5631 018 293 7000 012 652 9000 Mediclinic Durbanville Mediclinic Vergelegen MPUMALANGA NORTHERN CAPE Mediclinic Morningside Day Clinic 021 850 9000 Mediclinic Ermelo Mediclinic Gariep 011 282 5000 021 980 2135 Mediclinic Winelands 017 801 2600 053 838 1111 Mediclinic Muelmed Mediclinic Geneva Orthopaedic Hospital Mediclinic Highveld Mediclinic Kimberley 012 440 0600 044 873 6200 021 861 6300 017 638 8000 053 838 1111 Mediclinic Sandton Mediclinic George Mediclinic Worcester Mediclinic Nelspruit Mediclinic Upington 011 709 2000 044 803 2000 023 348 1500 013 759 0500 054 338 8900 Mediclinic Vereeniging Mediclinic Hermanus KWAZULU-NATAL Mediclinic Nelspruit NAMIBIA 016 440 5000 028 313 0168 Mediclinic Newcastle Day Clinic Mediclinic Otjiwarongo Wits Donald Gordon Mediclinic Klein Karoo 034 317 0000 013 759 0501 00264 67 30 3734 Medical Centre 044 272 0111 Mediclinic Newcastle LIMPOPO Mediclinic Swakopmund 011 356 6000 Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt Day Clinic Mediclinic Lephalale 00264 64 41 2200 021 957 6000 034 317 0000 014 762 0400 Mediclinic Windhoek Mediclinic Milnerton Mediclinic Mediclinic Limpopo 00264 61 433 1000
42 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I SUMMER 2020/21 PARENTS-TO-BE, ARE YOU PAYING PRIVATELY? AT MEDICLINIC, WE UNDERSTAND THAT PRIVATE PATIENTS, I.E. PATIENTS PAYING UPFRONT FOR THEIR SURGERY, MAY VALUE PREDICTABLE PRICING. THAT IS WHY MEDICLINIC’S EXTENDED BOUQUET OF FIXED FEE PROCEDURES NOW COMES WITH CONVENIENT FINANCIAL OPTIONS.
By providing you with a fixed price, we make it possible to compare costs across hospitals and ensure you are protected against unexpected hospital bills. All fixed fees include:
• The hospital cost of the planned procedure • The duration of your hospital stay • Theatre time • Equipment use • The associated in-hospital medication
Visit www.mediclinicprivatefixedfees.co.za for more information.
ARE YOU A MEDICLINIC BABY MEMBER? If not, join today! Mediclinic Baby is an exclusive programme that supports parents with pre- and postnatal pregnancy care. Registration is free and easy. Please visit the Mediclinic website for full details.
SOUTH AFRICA • SWITZERLAND • UAE • NAMIBIA www.mediclinic.co.za 5934MFCK
5934_couple.indd 1 2020/12/15 10:37 MC Ads 5 2020/12/21 11:00 CHECK OUT | JUST A MINUTE GAME TIME
COMPILED BY ELLEN CAMERON ISLANDS 2 3 2 2 2 2 Connect all the islands (numbers in circles) so that no enclosed areas are created. Only vertical 2 1 2 4 3 1 and horizontal lines may be used. Only single connecting lines may join two consecutive islands (i.e. double connecting lines are 2 1 1 1 2 2 forbidden). The total number of connecting lines attached to each island must be the same as the number in the island. 2 4 1 1 2 2
Example: 2 2 1 4 4 1 2 2 2 2 2 1
2 3 2 2 2 2 CLASSIC SUDOKU ANAGRAM-MINUS-ONE
The answer to the fi rst clue provides all2 the letters1 that you’ll2 need 4 Solve3 the number1 grid by fi lling in the missing for the other fi ve words, but each subsequent word contains one numbers. Only the numbers 1 to 9 may be used, and less letter than the word before. The highlighted cells indicate a number may not be repeated in a row or column. where the same letter appears in each 2of the six words.1 1 1 2 2 1. A lucky charm, usually in the form of a ring or stone. (8 letters) 2. Living organisms with specialised sense organs. (7 letters) 2 3. An Italian sausage that is eaten sliced2 and cold.4 (6 letters)1 1 2 2 4. An assumed identity. (5 letters) 3 2 6 5 4 7 5. Travel in a wind-propelled boat. (4 letters) 6. Trouble or a! ict a person mentally2 or physically.2 (3 letters)1 4 4 1 7 9 2 3 5 4 6 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 3
3 6 3 1 7
4 1 4 5 GALLO/GETTY IMAGES GALLO/GETTY 5 5 3 9 8 6 1
6 7 PHOTOGRAPH
44 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I SUMMER 2020/21 4 9 7 8 2 3 6 1 5
Game time.indd 42 3 2 1 6 5 9 4 8 72021/02/10 17:16 8 5 6 7 1 4 9 3 2 9 3 5 1 4 7 8 2 6 7 1 2 9 8 6 3 5 4 6 4 8 5 3 2 1 7 9 1 8 4 2 6 5 7 9 3 5 7 3 4 9 8 2 6 1 2 6 9 3 7 1 5 4 8 MCGame Ads.indd time.indd 9 10 2020/12/222020/12/01 12:2519:24
CHECK OUT | JUST A MINUTE
8 4 7 2 5 9 1 3 6
2 8 9 5 1 7 6 3 4
7 3 9 4 5 8 1 2
WORDSWORDSWORDS 6 9 2 5 8 7 1 3 4 6
2 2 2 1 2 2 5 1 3 2 4 6 9 7
How many words (4 letters or more) can you make using 8
8 7 1 9 5 3 6 2 4
4 1 2 1 2
the letters provided? Each letter may only be used once 4 6 9 5 8 2 3 1 7
in a word. Only regular and common English words are 4 7 6 1 5 3 8 4 2 9 2 1 1 2 2 4
5 2 9 4 6 7 3 8 allowed, so no names (of people, places or products), 1
1 2 1 1 2 acronyms or abbreviations count. See if you can find 2
the word that includes all nine letters provided. E 4 2 1 1 3 2 7
A R SUDOKU CLASSIC
8 9 5 1 6 3
2 2 2 2 3 2
4 5
IF YOU CAN GET… 1
7 1 3 6
2 2 2 1 2
M P E 2
2 1–12 words Your vocabulary needs 3
5 3 6 4 4 1 2 1 2 a bit of work 4
9 7
13–24 words Good stu! T T 2 2 1 1 2 2 4
7 6 5 3 4
25–36 words Impressive E 2 2
1 2 1 1 2
37–48 words You’re an anagram ace 2
4 2 1 1 3
more than 49 words Brilliant! 2
2 2 2 3 2
WORD SEARCH 2 The answers to the camping-related questions below are all in the word search and ISLANS can appear in any direction (even diagonally). Once you have crossed o" all the
answers, the remaining letters – when read from left to right, top to bottom – will “We can never have enough of nature.” of enough have never can “We
spell out a quote by the American naturalist and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. quote: Mystery
marshmallows 19. park; national 18.
moon; moon; 17. fishing; 16. boots; 15. lake;
C A E F C C O M P A S S K 14.
compass; compass; 13. map; 12. bag; sleeping 11.
tent; 10. campfire; campfire; 10. tent; 9. caravan 8. lantern;
A C A I N N G E V M A P R 7.
backpack; backpack; 6. mountain; 5. sunscreen; 4.
flashlight; flashlight; 3. campground; 2. hut;
M A R S H M A L L O W S A 1. P M E H E R B B A U H B P SEARCH WORD
F P H I K E G O N N A A L
6 L I A
5 L I A I G V N A E N O T T C C A S
S A I L A
R R E G L N I T E A A K N 4
3 I M A L A S
2 S L A M I A E O N O O M P S R I R P O N
1
N A M S I L A
S U N S C R E E N N A A I T O N T E N T E U G H V C T ANAGRAM-MINUS-ONE
O D F N A U L T U R A K A
9-letter: temperate 9-letter:
T H G I L H S A L F N E N permeate 8-letter:
7-letter: tempter 7-letter:
tamper; teeter; temper teeter; tamper;
1. A simple, permanent shelter on 11. A soft, padded container in which to sleep repeat; patter; matter; ampere; 6-letter: a hiking route 12. A piece of paper to refer to when hiking treat tramp; tempt; taper; peter; pater;
2. A place with space and facilities in unfamiliar terrain metre; meter; matte; eater; arête; 5-letter:
for campers 13. A device that indicates direction tree trap; tram; term; temp; tape; tare; tarp; tart; team; tear; teat; teem; teem; teat; tear; team; tart; tarp; tare; tape;
3. An electric torch 14. A body of water that is surrounded tame; reap; ream; rate; rape; rapt; ramp;
4. A lotion that protects the skin from by land pram; pert; perm; père; peer; peat, pear;
the sun 15. Footwear for hiking pâté); (or pate pare; part; pare; mete; mere;
5. A very large, steep hill 16. An outdoors activity involving a net meet; meat; mate; mart; mare; épée; 4-letter:
6. A bag with shoulder straps that is used or hook and line possible: are others
, but but ,
to carry belongings on a hike or walk 17. Celestial satellite that is more visible Dictionary Oxford Concise African South South
7. Camping light source at night the in appear words 60 following The 8. A mobile home that is towed 18. A state-protected area of natural WORDSWORDSWORDS
9. A portable shelter made of cloth and countryside (or water) that serves to
secured by poles and pegs protect wildlife and promote tourism 10. The most important feature 19. An item of confectionary that is typically SOLUTIONS when camping roasted over a campfire
46 I MEDICLINIC FAMILY I SUMMER 2020/21
Game time.indd 44 2021/02/10 17:16 MC Ads 9 2020/12/21 11:08 OUR PEOPLE MEET
RICARDO JAILERS MEDICLINIC EDITORIAL BOARD Corporate Communications Mediclinic Worcester Manager Tertia Kruger
NEW MEDIA EDITORIAL TEAM Editor Thomas Okes Creative Director Mark Serra Art Director Marcus Viljoen was a security official I once had a couple come through Designer Melandri van der Merwe for a local company for the main entrance who were frantic Senior Content Creator Biddi Rorke Online Editor Kathryn Rossiter a few years before I found about their child, who was not Senior Copy Editor Aviva Singer I my feet at Mediclinic, in breathing. Usually, we would take reception. The best part of my job them to the paediatric unit or ADVERTISING Key Account Manager is that I’m able to serve both internal Emergency Centre, but my instincts Hannelie Stemmet 021 417 1217 and external clients. Meeting so took over and I ran with the baby in my many different people from all arms to the nearest ward, which was PUBLISHING & PRODUCTION Head of Agency Division Steve Smith over and making sure everyone intensive care. There, the nursing staff Group Managing Editor Chantel Kleinsmidt who comes through the door is took over. This is not typically part of Head of Content Strategy Ami Kapilevich Production Manager Shirley Quinlan greeted with a welcoming smile my job of course, but I wanted to assist
is a highlight – and a privilege. where I could, and fortunately it was EXECUTIVE TEAM the right thing to do. CEO: New Media Aileen Lamb Commercial Director Maria Tiganis I’m a parent myself, so I could relate Brand Strategy Director Andrew Nunneley Chief Financial O!cer Venette Malone to how those parents were feeling. CEO: Media24 Ishmet Davidson The important thing was to stay calm
in an urgent situation. We want our Reproduction New Media Repro patients to feel at home and at ease Printing Novus Print: Montague Gardens - Web whenever they visit our hospital. Published by We meet different people from all New Media, a division of Media24 (Pty) Ltd, Media24 Centre 8th Floor 40 Heerengracht over the area, all races, all ages. No Cape Town 8001 matter why they are here or what they PO Box 440, Green Point, Cape Town 8051 www.newmedia.co.za need, we treat them all with the same positive and helpful approach. Published on behalf of We pride ourselves on giving the best Mediclinic Southern Africa, 25 Du Toit Street, Stellenbosch, 7600 “me” possible to everyone we meet. www.mediclinic.co.za If your team is unified, you can face giants and conquer. Being trusting and Published in association with Health24 and the Faculty of Health Sciences, respectful is one of our core values but Stellenbosch University it’s not just a slogan. It’s something
we live out every day. Copyright © New Media, a division of Media24 (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. You must be able to work under While all precautions have been taken pressure and sometimes do more than to ensure accuracy of information, neither the editor nor New Media can be held what is expected of you. If you do so, liable for inaccuracies, injury or damage you’ll shine in your department. Be the that may arise. best you can possibly be and always Editorial submissions put your patients first. That’s how we [email protected] make a difference. A response is not guaranteed.
FREE DOWNLOAD Go to www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za and scroll down to the bottom of the page to download this issue or any previous ones you missed. You can “NO MATTER WHY PEOPLE ARE AT OUR HOSPITAL AND also sign up for our newsletter. SUPPLIED WHAT THEY NEED, WE TREAT THEM ALL WITH THE SAME POSITIVE AND HELPFUL APPROACH. ”
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