North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has expressed confidence in their systems and stated that they are prepared to serve the people in accordance with the National Health Insurance (NHI).
This after a successful heart surgery that was performed on 38-year-old Martha Vanstawel.
According to the department, the patient has been seeking medical attention at Gauteng Cardiac Services since 2006. She has been battling a mitral regurgitation (leaking valve) and a sub-mitral aneurysm (abnormal enlargement of the heart).
This is the first ever surgery that was performed by health workers from two provinces, North West and Gauteng.
Collaboration between specialists and role players
The MEC attributed this success to a vision which led to a progressive collaboration between the team of specialists. These are managers, specialists, doctors and nurses between Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital and the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).
He said the patient has already been extubated and is doing well in the intensive care unit and is in high spirits.
“This breakthrough demonstrates [the efficiency of our facilities]. That the intensive care unit at Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital is equally suited to managing complex cases. It no doubt demonstrates our ability to implement NHI. The surgery was state-funded and done in a township. [This] is exactly what NHI stands for,” added Sambatha.
Reports say the procedure was recommended to the patient, Vanstawel, as early as 2006. However, she declined due to emotional reasons.
Systems were planned long before
“[By the time] the patient agreed to have the surgery, the systems were already in place. The discussions… to start cardiac services at the Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital complex date back to 2010. Structural planning began a decade later. Heart operations, by their very nature, require enormous capital investments, manpower, and infrastructure. Various plenary meetings were held between the two hospitals. These were to prepare for the now successful surgery,” said Sambatha.
After the surgery, Vanstawel expressed gratitude that the operation was performed in South Africa and that her family could see her.
“I am grateful for the care and treatment I received so far. I am also thankful that the operation was done here at home. My family can easily come to see me. Thank you to all the doctors and nurses, and everyone who made this operation a success,” she said.
