by Kegorapetse | Mar 14, 2019 | SMU Media
The first Bariatric Surgery (or weight loss surgery) Unit of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has been recently established at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH). This collaboration between the Gauteng Department of Health and SMU Department of Surgery represents an important advance in bringing this type of surgery within reach of the poor. The surgery also represents the multidisciplinary approach to the management of a patient with morbid obesity where surgeons, physicians, anesthetists, psychologists and other disciplines all contribute to the initial screening, workup and ongoing management and surgery of these patients.
The Bariatric surgery workshop held at SMU provided a real-time information for the numerous attendees including professors, specialists and doctors from both the public and private sectors as well as students. Unit head Professor Zach Koto said, “The surgery includes a variety of procedures performed on people who have morbid obesity. The weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach making it the size of an egg and re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch. Patients are still advised to eat healthy afterwards because the surgery does the 50% and healthy eating does the rest”.
Prof Koto said the other type of bariatric procedure is reducing the size of the stomach by two-thirds (70%) in a procedure called sleeve gastrectomy. “This works by two mechanisms, Firstly, it reduces the size of the stomach so that the patient eats less. Secondly, it reduces the hunger hormones where the patient does not feel hungry”, he emphasized.
Obesity is a significant public health problem in South Africa with serious potential metabolic complications. “One out of three patients in South Africa is obese and this leads to diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and arthritis, hence it is important for a patient to go through a proper screening process before they can be considered for bariatric surgery which is a complete life style change for the patients. What is intriguing is that bariatric surgery is able to permanently cure diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and other obesity related comorbid conditions” added Prof Koto.
SMU through the department of surgery is spearheading the registration and accreditation of a qualification in Bariatric and minimal access surgery in South Africa. Koto said the service would help the government to save money as it could cure diabetes and ensure that there were no more premature deaths. He further said that the procedure had to be looked at, and be made available to the public throughout the country.
Prof Dhaneshwar Bhagwandass, Clinical Head in the Department of Anaesthesiology at SMU and DGMAH, welcomed the opportunity for the team involved in this venture to grow professionally as individuals and as members of a team. “Bringing such initiatives to the public sector, and succeeding, proves that collaborative efforts from clinicians can improve the lives of all South Africans,” emphasized Prof Bhagwandass.
After the presentations at the workshop, the audience was shown live Roux Y gastric bypass procedure on eight patients. This was done using the state-of-the-art 3D laparoscopic camera system in the high-tech room in the department of surgery at SMU. It was transmitted a distance from theatre at DGMAH to the Clinical Pathology Building (SMU). All the patients did well and were discharged two days later.
At this workshop, they also showcased the 4k (ultra-high definition) camera system. This interactive live surgery symposium is a significant education tool which is a growing intervention for learning and professional development. Attendees came from all over the country and some surgeons came all the way from Namibia. Members of the SMU Surgical Students Society were also in attendance.
by Kegorapetse | Mar 6, 2019 | SMU Media
Hundreds of first time entering students attended the 2019 orientation ceremony that was held at the Sport Centre, recently. The orientation event serves as a necessary rite of passage that the new students must undergo to be able to part ways with their erstwhile high school habits and begin to embrace the ethos that befit an SMU Student. An impressive array of speakers were lined up to share their wisdom and experiences with the captive audience of starry eyed students and their parents who had accompanied them.
Prof Chris de Beer, the Vice-Chancellor of SMU thanked the first time entering students for choosing SMU as the university that will nurture their dreams to become health and natural science professionals. He called upon them to optimally use the opportunity afforded to them as it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
In his words, the VC stated, “Thousands have applied to study at SMU, but they could not make the grade. Being admitted at SMU places a great responsibility on their shoulders to work hard to succeed in your studies. SMU is doing all in its power to foster an enabling institutional culture that would inspire them to succeed in their studies. Use the support systems that are in place to address your emotional, academic and social challenges. Free education gives talented yet lesser fortunate students access to higher education. But it also obliges them to give a satisfactory academic performance.
Boast about SMU and show pride in it because you have this privilege to be admitted to study at the only university in South Africa focusing on the health sciences, “said Prof de Beer.
In the same spirit, Prof. Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, the deputy Vice- Chancellor responsible for the research, postgraduate studies and innovation also gave his remarks to calm anxieties of these students. The DVC encouraged them, not only, to focus on their studies, but also urged them to identify extracurricular activities in which they will invest their positive energies. He called upon them to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations of the university in the general calendar.
Mr. Innocent Chauke, the President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) also welcomed and advised them to work hard so that they will be able to complete their academic programmes within the prescribed period.
by Kegorapetse | Mar 6, 2019 | SMU Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Science University recently introduced the office of Institutional Advancement and Internationalization to its institution. At the helm of developing this directorate is Mr. David Sedumedi who holds MEd in Higher Education (Course work specializing in Student Development) and currently busy with his PhD in Leadership and Complexity, methodology: Systems thinking. He has extensive experience in higher education, which has equipped him with the right skills and knowledge to lead this office.
He explains that institutional advancement is a new concept in South African higher education context with only a few institutions having a formal structure of advancement. The Institutional Advancement and Internationalization office will be dealing with policy development and implementation, which includes, but not limited to fund raising and development, internationalization, campaign designs, stakeholder relations and project communication strategy.
Setting up this office from scratch is what excited Mr. Sedumedi most to apply for this position, he hopes to incorporate his experience in his previous similar role and his current PhD studies. “In my role the plan should be informed by the institutional priorities; what is it that SMU wants to achieve and how do we then mobilize resources to support the whole enterprise by the university”, said Mr. Sedumedi. He went further on to explain that Systems thinking teaches you to be constantly monitoring your external environment, such that you are able to be responsive and adapt to the changes that the external environment imposes upon you.
“We hope to move away from the dependency of sponsorships, but rather create partnerships where people realize that by collaborating with SMU they are actually investing in the public health care system of the country”, said Mr. Sedumedi. He plans to rope in current students and staff members to start pledging towards helping SMU projects such as ‘Hands of Compassion’ (a feeding scheme mainly for students without financial assistance, which relies solely on donations), in a coordinated manner such as using the Payroll donations system where a certain amount will be given back by SARS.
Mr. Sedumedi is excited about the challenge that lies ahead. He hopes to be able to help SMU assert itself as a Health Sciences institution, while working towards being the number one institution of choice for investors on the University’s doorstep such as the Rosslyn industrial hub.
by Kegorapetse | Mar 6, 2019 | SMU Media
Prof Stephen Hendricks, who recently assumed the huge responsibility as the Dean: School of Oral Health Sciences & CEO of SMU Oral Health Hospital plans to take the school to greater heights by becoming the top go-to school in the continent. “We need to reposition and locate the school among the top institutions of higher learning of global oral health and dentistry. We must have a student exchange programme between SMU and the Harvard University Dental School, for both undergraduates and postgraduate students, because we do not want our students to be locally relevant, but globally competent. I also wish to tour other schools globally and market our School for the exchange programme so that when our students graduate, they then understand and can link up with their global scholars’ counterparts”, explained Prof Hendricks.
While lecturing, Prof Hendricks came across an inquisitive student, who questioned the commitment of high profile academics teaching at previously disadvantaged institutions. “Why do black academics like to go to historically white universities? Why don’t they come and teach where we are?” asked the student. The question changed Prof’s journey and before he knew it, he had joined SMU. “I came to a point where I reflected on the contributions I can make to historically young universities, and thought it was time to respond to the student’s question by joining SMU. As much as there were no funds or vacant posts at SMU, I took a non-salaried position until the Dean’s opportunity came through,” said Prof Hendricks.
He also emphasized the importance of the SMU community knowing the iconic struggle hero whom the University is named after. “If you don’t know who Sefako Makgatho is, then there is a problem”, said the newly appointed Dean. “You cannot be at this University and not have studied the history of Sefako Makgatho, his contribution to the trade union movements, education and in religion as a community activist,” emphasised Hendricks. His message to the students is to encourage them to utilise the opportunities given to them wisely. “You only have one chance, do your best, first time; work hard, and always ask for help when the need arises,” said Prof Hendricks.
Prof Hendricks qualifications comprises:
- Doctorate in Medical Sciences (Public Health), Harvard University (USA).
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Community Dental Health), Harvard (USA).
- Masters in Public Health, Harvard (USA).
- Masters in Science, University of London in United Kingdom (UK).
- Masters in Public Administration, Harvard (USA).
- Diplomat in Dentistry, American Board of Dental Public Health.
- Diploma Dental Public Health, Royal College of Surgeons in UK.
- Registered as Specialist in Public Community Health with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
- Bachelor in Theology, Theological Education Extension College in SA.
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery, the University of Western Cape (SA).
by Kegorapetse | Feb 12, 2019 | SMU Media
Vice Chancellor’s induction message for first year students and the campus community at large on behalf of Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, Chief Executive Officer – HEAIDS (Higher Education and Training Health Wellness & Development Centre). A full article can be accessed by following this link: https://www.smu.ac.za/download/9994/
