This is through a partnership between Busamed Bram Fischer Private Hospital and the provincial department of health. The week-long Universal Care initiative will see 67 major surgical procedures performed to help reduce the province’s growing public healthcare backlog.

Universal Care Week is a Nelson Mandela Month initiative aimed at reducing the province’s growing public healthcare surgical backlog.

Running from Monday (20/7) to Friday, the initiative honours Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of service by providing specialised procedures to patients who would otherwise struggle to access treatment in the public healthcare system.

The campaign started over the weekend with 20 successful cataract operations. During the week, the hospital will also perform five corrective spinal surgeries on children living with scoliosis, with one patient undergoing surgery each day before spending a night in the intensive care unit and being transferred back to the state hospital for further recovery.

“Universal Care Week is our way of honouring Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of selfless service,” said hospital manager Dr Mosoeu Mongangane. “Our goal is to perform at least 67 major procedures for patients who cannot access these specialised services, giving them hope and improving their quality of life.

“Scoliosis is far more than a curved spine. These children live with chronic pain, breathing difficulties and reduced confidence, and many struggle at school because of their condition.

“By performing these corrective surgeries, we are restoring not only their physical health, but also their confidence and their opportunity to live like any other child.”

Scoliosis is a spinal deformity consisting of lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebrae, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The causes of scoliosis vary and are classified broadly as congenital, neuromuscular, syndrome-related, idiopathic, and spinal curvature due to secondary reasons.

A child should be referred to a specialist if the curve is greater than 10° in a patient younger than 10 years of age, is greater than 20° in a patient 10 years of age or older, has atypical features or is associated with back pain or neurological abnormalities.

“Behind every number on a waiting list is a patient, a family and a story of hope,” said Free State health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi. “Imagine a child who has lived for years with pain and difficulty walking, finally standing tall and looking forward to a brighter future.

“That is the true impact of partnerships such as this one.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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