Operation Smile South Africa donates supplies to Worcester Hospital amid COVID-19 pandemic
Fabrizia Degli Esposti • May 27, 2020
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the non-profit medical service organisation, Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA), this April assisted Worcester Hospital, in the Western Cape, with protective gear such as surgical and N95 masks, as well as the loan of a ventilator.
“It is our privilege to be able to support Worcester Hospital in such a time of need,” adds Lauren Bright, Country Manager for Operation Smile South Africa. “We hope the contribution will ease any burden they may feel, as well as assist in ensuring the health and safety of their healthcare workers.”
The assistance indeed made a difference: “We are grateful for Operation Smile South Africa’s support and contribution which will go a long way in ensuring the protection of our healthcare workers,” adds Elbie Vosloo, Chief Executive Officer at Worcester Hospital.
Joining OSSA in supporting the hospital is the Pick n Pay situated in the Mountain Mill Shopping Centre, Worcester, which has - as part of their Feed the Nation campaign – committed to a fortnightly donation of snacks and drinks for healthcare workers on duty at the Worcester Hospital over the COVID-19 period: “Our healthcare workers are working tirelessly for the benefit of our country. This is a small token to say thank you to the medical staff of Worcester Hospital for everything they are doing in their community,” says Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, transformational director at Pick n Pay.
Stuart Myers, Operation Smile Senior Vice President of Programs based in Virginia, USA, stated this week: “Although our medical programmes are temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Operation Smile remains committed to the health and well-being of our patients, their families and their communities around the world. We hope this donation of much-needed medical supplies and equipment to Worcester Hospital will demonstrate our belief that strengthening health care systems in the countries where we work is more crucial now than ever. We applaud all who are supporting this effort in South Africa.”
OSSA is part of a global non-profit medical service organisation that provides free cleft lip and cleft palate reconstructive surgery to vulnerable children and adults. Cleft lift and cleft palate are conditions where a gap in the mouth doesn’t close during the early stages of pregnancy and is the third most common birth defect worldwide. Every three minutes a child is born with cleft. Those with the condition suffer difficulty with feeding, which can lead to malnutrition or even starvation. Recurring ear infections can also occur, resulting in hearing loss. Other issues include dental development, language impairment, bullying and social isolation.
The cost of one surgery is R5,500 and can take as little as 45 minutes to perform a corrective procedure. To make a donation to Operation Smile South Africa or sign up as volunteer, please visit southafrica.operationsmile.org
Those requiring assistance with receiving reconstructive surgery to correct a cleft lip and/or palate, can visit the Operation Smile South Africa website, connect on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, call toll free on
0800 0 76453, or WhatsApp on 060 855 7971.
For many first-time mothers, the idea of weaning can feel overwhelming. paediatric neonatologist Dr Letlhogonolo Sepeng from Netcare Park Lane Hospital offers guidance to help navigate this transition.
Cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the Young Hearts Africa Foundation, Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, has made it his life’s purpose to reach children with life-threatening heart defects like Baby Kendreya Pillay's before it is too late. Since its inception in 2023, the foundation has helped 30 children.
Focus on the Workforce this Winter
Urologists Dr Hannes Brummer and Dr Johan Coetzee, who practise at Netcare Greenacres Hospital, are encouraging men to prioritise prostate cancer screening this Men’s Health Month.
This Youth Month, a pharmacist from South Africa’s original national courier pharmacy highlights HIV prevention and effective management as key health concerns the youth should be aware of.
It has been estimated that 80% to 90% of doctors experience some form of burnout at some point in their careers. This can affect their ability to practise optimally and to connect with their patients with empathy and care. The consequences are serious, as burnout and depression are major risks for doctors, threatening both their wellbeing and the quality of care they provide.
Upbeat 25-year-old student Atang Climantine Makhubedu jokingly calls herself a cataract survivor. Just weeks before, however, she was battling the harsh reality of unexpected vision loss, which Dr Sachin Bawa, an ophthalmic surgeon practising at Netcare Linkwood Hospital, describes as having significantly impacted Atang’s daily life.
A South African first of its kind tool is transforming patient care locally by leveraging Netcare’s advanced electronic medical records system and abundant clinical data. This will help clinicians identify risk of deterioration from common causes earlier among intensive care patients so that treatment can start sooner.
Ditshegofatso Kgobisa, known as ‘DK’ for short, suffered kidney failure at 15. After 11 months reliant on lifesaving dialysis with National Renal Care, DK gained a new lease on life after his mother, Rosemary, was able to donate one of her kidneys to him.
Migraines affect 15% of the global population, causing severe pain and disrupting daily life. Neurologist Dr. Michael Huth emphasises the importance of understanding different migraine types and their triggers.
