by Kegorapetse | Jan 4, 2021 | All News, SMU Media
Dear SMU Community,
In light of the unprecedented speed with which the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading, the University resolved that teaching and learning will take place largely through online modes of delivery. Accordingly, students who are not required to be on campus are strongly encouraged to remain at their homes in line with the requirements of adjusted alert level 3 and to continue with their studies online.
For more information follow the link: Updated VC Communique on adjusted Alert Level 3,
https://www.smu.ac.za/download/18908/F
by Kegorapetse | Dec 31, 2020 | All News, SMU Media
Dear Staff and Students
Please see attached communique from DHET for your information.
An SMU specific communique will be released once we have engaged with the Chairperson of our Covid Task Team.
Best regards to you and your loved ones as we approach 2021.
SMU Management
Download Communique to universities on the reintroduction of Level 3 of the national lockdown
by Kegorapetse | Dec 23, 2020 | All News, SMU Media
Dear Academic Staff Members and Students
As the 2020 year comes to close, let me thank you for incredible work, dedication and commitment you exhibited throughout this uncommon year with all its challenges.
The final year students have taken their oaths and will be starting with their internships and community services in their respective areas of specialities in health services where their skills are mostly required.
To the final year students who are leaving this year I wish you the very best for a happy and healthy future.
To those who are celebrating Christmas I wish you well with your families and for those who are travelling safe journeys and continue adhering to health and safety protocols.
Yours Truly
Prof Eunice Seekoe
Deputy Vice Chancellor: Teaching, Learning and Community Engagement
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.
End of the year message to academic staff and students at SMU
by Kegorapetse | Dec 10, 2020 | All News, SMU Media
It is with great excitement we announce that Prof Simon Nemutandani, Dean of WITS Dental School and the Chairperson of the Association of Deans in Southern Africa is the newly appointed President of HPCSA. In him taking this position, our own Professor Stephen Hendricks, Dean of SMU Oral Health Sciences has been nominated by Deans to serve as Chair of the Dental Deans Committee for the next 2 years. Professor Hendricks will join Prof Nemutandani in the HPCSA Council meetings where the Chair of Dental Deans and Medical Deans have a seat. “I am delighted because Prof Nemutandani was my PhD student at UP where I was his PhD Supervisor and he completed his PhD in 2 years full time. Its this excellence I as Dean strive for us to achieve at SMU SOHS.” says Professor Stephen Hendricks.
Both Professor Nemutandani and Professor Hendricks have an extensive experience and track record in public health, they are and have played a critical role in the conversion of oral health at the national health level and institutions of higher learning. They are also part of the team that is responsible for developing the Oral Health Strategy in South African. SMU is proud to be associated with such dedicated and goal driven professionals.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing and Communications
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
10th December 2020
Download Appointment Letter for Professor Simon Nemutandani appointed President of HPCSA
by Kegorapetse | Dec 1, 2020 | All News, SMU Media
Ms Raphiri, HIV Coordinator, School of Oral Health Sciences
Organised on World AIDS Day (WAD) by Dr Khanya Makwakwa, the Candle Lighting Ceremony had dual purposes – to remember all the health care professionals who succumbed to AIDS and COVID 19; and also to link up this locally organised ceremony with the campaign, by the World Health Organisations (WHO), expressed as Sustainable Development Goals, to eradicate all communicable diseases by 2030.
Dr Makwakwa, from the school of oral health sciences, highlighted that the 2020 WAD theme “We are in this together” sought to inspire communities to join hands in solidarity with those who are infected, affected and living with COVID 19 and HIV/AIDS. She also added that the memory of all the health care professionals who have died in the line of duty, should be kept alive and never be forgotten.
Dr Khanya Makwakwa, School of Oral Health Sciences
Held mainly as a virtual event, in line with the COVID 19 social distancing regulations, the ceremony was addressed by several speakers ranging from Ms Raphiri, who is the school of oral health sciences HIV coordinator who spoke about the programme she is championing to raise awareness about AIDS and making sure that AIDS stays under the spotlight, amidst COVID 19 distraction.
By Maditsi Matlala
by Kegorapetse | Nov 20, 2020 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media
Dr Elelwani Madzhia
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) were recently accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) with a subspecialty training unit of Paediatric Oncology. The Paediatric oncologists diagnose, treat, and manage children and teens with cancers, blood cells and bleeding disorders. “We are a 30 bedded unit and we get approximately 50 new admissions per year. We treat all types of childhood cancers (blood and solid cancers for patients up to the age of 18 years), and all the benign haematology disorders,” said Dr Elelwani Madzhia, head of Paediatric Haemotology and Oncology Unit at SMU/DGMAH.
The unit is located at DGMAH (ward 20) and caters for patients residing in City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s northern areas (Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Mabopane, and Hammanskraal), and North-West province. “We offer medical, surgical and psychosocial therapy to our patients with the help of a multidisciplinary team that comprises of various health practitioners. We also get the support from the cancer support non-governmental organisations like Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC), Reach for a Dream Foundation, Rainbows & Smiles Rainbow (Supporting kidz with cancer), and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA),” said Dr Madzhia.
Under the leadership of Dr. Madzhia, the unit hopes to improve the overall outcome of the patients. The unit wish to offer a radiotherapy service and also conduct a lot of research in the near future. The challenges encountered at the unit are more psycho-social and requires preventive measures for patients wellbeing. “There is a lack of awareness in the communities, which results in us receiving patients coming with advanced stages of cancer. With cancer, early presentation is essential in order to achieve an overall high survival rate and a good quality of life,” highlight Madzhia.
“Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have not had any positive patients in our unit,” conclude Madzhia, who is an SMU Alumna.
By Tumelo Moiloa
