MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari congratulated staff and management at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex for successfully conducting an Off Pump Coronary Artery Graft (Off Pump GABG) on two patients last week.
The procedures were a first to be conducted in the North West province, both in a private and a public facility.
The procedures were conducted in collaboration with a specialist from India and his team, as well as specialists from the Wits/Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. One patient underwent surgery on Monday, November 11 while the second patient’s procedure was carried out on Tuesday, November 12.
While visiting the patients, the MEC was in awe of the work done by the medical professionals, during the two procedures.
“The North West province must be ready to be inundated with requests for more innovative surgeries such as these. This confirms the delivery of quality services, and changes in people’s lives that I referred to upon arrival at the Department. I have expressed my willigness to work with the private sector and external stakeholders and this is the perfect example of how such a partnership can bear fruit,” exuded MEC Lehari.
The MEC continued to thank Team Health, for successfully concluding the operation.
“Well done to the entire team of experts who were part of this life changing surgery, and completing it without hindrances. I implore on them to continue to make a difference in people’s lives in such magnifisant strides. We look forward to putting our province on the map with quality healthcare services, and showing members of the public that their lives are in capable hands,” MEC Lehari concluded.
The Chief Executive Officer of the complex, Thulane Madonsela, said when he explained the procedure: “Normally, when an open heart surgery is done, the heart is stopped from pumping blood out. The heart lung machine is used as a temporary heart while the blocked artery is by-passed, however, this type of operation is done while the heart is still pumping blood - hence it is called an Off Pump Coronary Artery By-pass Graft.”
“Dr Vettath has, to date, performed over five thousand such operations across the world. He was assisted by Dr Taunyane who is originally from Jouberton in the North West province. The two patients are stable and undergoing a post operation recovery process in the complex’s Intensive Care Unit.”
