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As the prominent private medical establishment servicing a large and diverse demographic—Mediclinic Newcastle has endured over the past year while continuously providing a premium standard of healthcare regardless of the challenges faced.
Delving further into the subject, Mediclinic Newcastle’s Hospital General Manager, Japie Greyling, explains it is important to note the pandemic has had a significant impact on the hospital, especially when looking at the number of doctors either retiring or emigrating, as well as doctors managing the risks linked to COVID-19.
Dr Mahesh Dhanjee, the board of directors’ chairperson, adds the hospital also lost some of their referring doctors and specialists, who sadly succumbed to COVID. “We also have two specialists who have been unable to practice due to medical reasons, which has also left a void.”
Despite the obstacles posed by the pandemic, Greyling and Dr Dhanjee highlight that the Mediclinic Newcastle team have learned valuable lessons seeing the group grow more robust in the face of the impending third wave.
Additionally, the private hospital successfully replaced the doctors who left, and under the leadership of the board of directors, Mediclinic Newcastle is working on acquiring various specialists who will be partnering with the highly-qualified medical team. These developments are being carried out to provide Newcastle residents and surroundings with the opportunity to obtain quality healthcare in our beloved town.
Three new medical professionals who recently joined the private institute as seen on the Newcastillian – Online News are Dr Thamsanqa Buthelezi, a neurosurgeon, Dr Zenzele Mthethwa, a Specialist Physician, and Dr Peter Chukwu, a gynaecologist and obstetrician.
Furthermore, Greyling and Dr Dhanjee share their forecasts for the upcoming 12 months and the medical categories the hospital will be expanding on. “If you look at the trajectory we are currently on, we should be filling the gap created by COVID-19,” affirms Dr Dhanjee. This can be seen with the appointment of a neurosurgeon and the hospital currently in the process of expanding on its neurology section. Regarding their expansion in neurosurgery, Dr Dhanjee explains that Mediclinic Newcastle is taking leaping strides to ensure Newcastillians receive the most beneficial treatment possible in the comfort of their own town, without needing to seek assistance outside of Newcastle’s borders.
Greyling further adds that Mediclinic Newcastle will also look at oncology and expanding on this medical service. On the subject, Dr Dhanjee says he finds it concerning that people are currently avoiding medical facilities out of fear of contracting COVID-19. This, he points out, sees people with treatable variants of cancer becoming more ill and seeking medical treatment too late. “Do not be afraid to go to hospital. It is probably the safest place to be,” he announces.
The doctor asserts that Mediclinic Newcastle has taken the necessary steps to ensure patient safety is of the utmost importance.
As the private hospital continues to flourish, Greyling says with extensive services now available at the facility, which are not otherwise available at the public hospital, Newcastillians could see a potential partnership between the provincial and private hospital in the future, allowing people to receive the necessary treatment close to their families.
Greyling closes off by thanking the community for their loving support during the height of the pandemic. “A big thank you goes out to the community who supported the hospital, providing the staff with snacks, as well as messages of support and love, and the religious organisations offering us their prayers of support.”
Thanking the schools and their learners who sent letters of encouragement and care, Dr Dhanjee adds all letters have been placed in the hospital for the nursing staff and doctors to view regularly.
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Comments 1
it is so good to see that there has been 3 new professionals who have joined the medical team and that certain departments are being expanded.
However we are in dire need of a cardiologist in Newcastle. all our Heart patients in Newcastle have to travel far distances out of town for check ups and procedures. Please could they look into how they can provide service for cardic patients at MediClinic.
Regards
Shoba Sewpershad