News - Recent Pretoria endoscopy congress
Media Release
Netcare Unitas Hospital and
The South African Gastroenterology Society
World renowned gastroenterologists gather to share leading edge technology
Johannesburg, Tuesday 1 April, 2008 This past weekend leading gastroenterologists from Europe and
South Africa gathered at Netcare’s Unitas Hospital in Tshwane to perform 30 live procedures. The event,
which saw 70 South African specialists from public and private hospitals and 30 foreign specialists
sharing new techniques, technology and skills, formed part of the Inaugural Endoscopy Congress hosted
by the South African Gastroenterology Society (SAGES).
Participating specialists were able to witness the latest techniques, performed with leading edge
technology, while views and experiences were freely shared with colleagues from several countries
including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and South Africa.
The brainchild of Prof Schalk van der Merwe and SAGES President Dr. Chris Ziady, the symposium is part of a
bid to foster the sharing of skills and knowledge in the field of gastroenterology. The workshop focussed
on technological advances in the field of gastroenterology with the latest techniques and technological advances
coming under the spotlight.
Commenting on the symposium Prof Van der Merwe said that: "This event allowed South African gastroenterologists to
assess the quality of local technology and services. Many have realised for the first time that we are on par with
the rest of the world in our field. While our technology is world-class, new techniques and the sharing of skills
and knowledge remains of considerable importance in the treatment of our patients."
"These new procedures and technologies are minimally invasive and they therefore substantially reduce recovery time.
It is therefore highly beneficial for patients who cannot undergo surgery as to those that cannot afford a recovery
period of several weeks."
For many of the foreign doctors it was not only their first taste of South Africa but also of its private healthcare system,
and judging from the positive comments heard all around, South Africa has much to be proud of.
The French healthcare system is often cited as one of the finest in the world. A comment therefore by Dr Marc Giovannini,
Head of Department of Gastroenterology of the "Institut Paoli-Calmettes" in Marseilles, France, that "walking into the
theatre at Netcare’s Unitas Hospital was like walking into my own theatre in Marseilles" was particularly well received.
He was most impressed with the quality of the doctors and nurses as well as the facilities offered at the hospital.
Professor Allesandro Repici of Italy, who described the Netcare Unitas facilities as world-class noted that the theatre
conditions were among some of the best he has ever worked in. Professor Georg Kähler, Head of the Endoscopy Department
at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, was so impressed with the way that the Intensive Care Unit was constructed
that he would like to duplicate the concept in Germany.
According to Dr Ziady the conference will become a springboard for other events of this stature, as he sees international
sharing and learning as being of considerable benefit to doctors and patients alike. "The financial backing and sponsorship
for doctors attending international congresses have diminished in recent years and hosting events such as this locally will
only increase the number of medical staff – from both private and public health
Institutions - that will be able to attend and learn from them."
"Collaboration and the cross sharing of knowledge amongst private and public healthcare practitioners is what improves
healthcare overall. The beneficiaries of this are unquestionably our patients," he said.
Issued by Martina Nicholson Associates on behalf of Netcare Unitas Hospital. For further information
kindly contact Martina Nicholson
or Erica Dreijer (011) 469-3016.
From left to right: Ms du Toit (Marcus Medical), Sr. L Naidoo, Dr
Marc Giovannini, Dr Marco Bruno and Prof. Schalk van der Merwe.
From left to right: Sr. E du Plessis, Dr P Pandari and Sr Emero
(Pretoria Academic Hospital).
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