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Picture courtesy: (News24) The patient and her family as well as MEC after the surgery.
(The Post News)- Martha Vanstawel, a 38-year-old woman from Jouberton, became the first patient to undergo successful heart surgery at Klerksdrop-Tshepong Hospital in Northwest province, through the NHI bill on Sunday.
The patient has been seeking medical attention at Gauteng cardiac services since 2006.
She has been battling a mitral regorges(leaking valve) and a sub-mitral aneurysm(abnormal enlargement of heart).
The operation which lasted six hours, was performed by a team led by Doctor Tumi Taunyane, the head of cardiothoracic surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Together with her team and the North West team, this surgery became successful since it was the first ever surgery to be performed by health workers from two provinces, which is North West and Gauteng.
The Health MEC in North West attributed this success to vision which led to a progressive collaboration between the two provinces, he stated that the patient has already been extubated and is doing well in the intensive care unit and is in high spirits.
This was the first heart operation performed at a public hospital in the North West province.
The successful outcome has been hailed as a testament to effectiveness of the NHI program in providing quality healthcare to all south Africans, regardless of their socio-economic background.
“We are thrilled with the success of this surgery, which demonstrates our commitment to universal health coverage”, said MEC, Bushy Maape.
“We are proud to have partnered with the Gauteng health department to make this moment possible.”
The surgery was made a success due to the partnership between the North West and Gauteng health departments ensuring the patient received the best possible care, also the newly renovated cardiothoracic theatre at Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital.
The hospital provided a state-of-the-art facility for the surgery, and the team led by Dr. Taunyane brought extensive experience and expertise to the operation.
Vanstawel is recovering well and good spirits, according to hospital reports.
Her family has expressed their gratitude to the medical team and the government for making this life-saving surgery possible.
This surgery under the newly signed NHI bill marks a significant step forward in South Africa’s journey toward universal health coverage.
As the government continues to roll out the NHI programme, this success story serves as a beacon of hope for many south Africans who require quality healthcare.
This is a very touching story, the NHI programme has helped and it’s giving hope to many more families in South Africa that help is here .We truly need more of these programs in our country ,such that give out and support us as citizens
Vanstawel was given a new life mainly because of the NHI program, this truly serve as hope for us fellow South Africans who suffer from chronic diseases
the NHI really did a good job here
What a touching story.
The NHI programme is a wonderful source of legislation. Not only is the patients right to social security honored her right to equality and life is also honored through the NHI. Finally something to give the indigent hope in the medical system. 🙏