Hospital saddened by passing of highly respected nephrologist
Jun 02, 2021
Doctor who participated in over 600 kidney transplants remembered
Highly respected nephrologist, Dr Hendrik Viljoen, who practised at Netcare Garden City Hospital for some 27 years of his long and distinguished career, sadly passed away in the early morning of Wednesday, 26 May 2021.
“On behalf of the staff and management of Netcare Garden City Hospital, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to Dr Viljoen’s wife Sandra, his sons Gerrit and Hein, and his daughters Marina, Luré and Arden. Our sympathies also go out to his loved ones, friends and colleagues,” says Jacques du Plessis, managing director of Netcare’s hospital division.
Born in Leyden in the Netherlands in 1955, Dr Viljoen’s family relocated to South Africa when he was a child. After high school, he first pursued a BA Law degree, then earned his Honours in Latin before studying medicine through the then-University of the Orange Free State (UOFS) and completing his MBChB with a distinction in psychiatry in 1983.
Dr Viljoen then trained in Internal Medicine at the Universitas and Pelonomi academic hospitals. There he attained experience with sub-specialities including clinical haematology, pulmonology, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology and rheumatology. Once qualified, he worked in the Department of Internal Medicine in Bloemfontein as a physician while sub-specialising in nephrology.
Later, as head of the Department of Nephrology at UOFS, Dr Viljoen was instrumental in training the next generation of medical professionals and leaves behind a strong academic legacy. Having authored numerous academic articles and presented papers at international conferences, Dr Viljoen greatly contributed to the field of nephrology and meaningfully touched the lives of many thousands of patients who benefitted from his considerable expertise over decades of service.
“Dr Viljoen participated in over 600 kidney and 25 combined pancreas-kidney transplants during his career. His passing is an immense loss to the Netcare family and his fellow specialists, and he will be greatly missed,” Du Plessis concluded.
Frans Ndlovu was lying on the cool floor with his door open when he was attacked by a hyena. A multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses at Netcare Pholoso Hospital worked day and night to save his life.
Those who work with soil and animals should stay up-to-date with regular tetanus vaccinations.
A strategic partnership between Netcare Akeso, the mental health division of the Netcare Group, and two Limpopo doctors has laid the way for the establishment of a new psychiatric facility in Polokwane to significantly enhance private mental healthcare capacity in the province.
With influenza season fast approaching, stock of this year’s flu vaccine is currently available in South Africa
Desk-bound individuals who spend most of their workdays seated need to prioritise posture and regular body breaks or risk spinal injury, chronic disease and mental health issues, among numerous other serious concerns.
According to Dr Bonke Sumbulu, a general practitioner at Netcare Medicross The Berg in Bergbron Johannesburg, ‘sitting is the new smoking’ may not be an accurate comparison. However, the dangers of continued sitting for long periods are cause for very real concern.
Expanding healthcare access in South Africa demands meticulous resource allocation, which is crucial for delivering the calibre of service essential to upholding the human dignity of our entire population, according to the Health Funders Association (HFA).
There is a direct link between human rights and preventing the spread of cancer, says Lorraine Govender, National Manager: Health Programmes of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), commenting on this year’s World Health Day theme: My Health, My Right.
Step into the heart of compassionate renal care at National Renal Care (NRC): Pictured here is our centre at Netcare Alberton Hospital in Johannesburg, which is one of 71 such NRC facilities countrywide. With our dedicated team of nephrologists, technologists, and nurses, you'll find personalised support and expert guidance at every step of your dialysis journey. Experience the difference with NRC – where care meets convenience.
Ryan Kurt Williams after his recent cochlear implant at Netcare N1 City Hospital. Professor James Loock, an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon and the audiology team of the Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch Cochlear Implant Unit (THUSCIU), identified Ryan as an ideal candidate to benefit from a cochlear implant.
Clinical psychologist Vashnie Sithambaram shares tips on how to support young adults as they fly the nest
