‘I had a stroke at 19’
When Bianca Damon suffered a stroke in March 2015, at the age of only 19, she had no idea what was happening to her.
‘I survived two heart attacks’
Amos Mautla suffered heart attacks in 2009 and 2014 and was treated at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital both times.
Living with childhood leukaemia
Kathy Singery, the mother of 14-year-old Daniel who was recently diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), shares the family’s coping strategies and reflects on the lessons they’ve learnt on their journey so far.
A journey with endometriosis
In 2014 Valencia Kippie, a 41-year-old mother from Cape Town, finally got the answer to a question she’d been asking doctors for more than 12 years: What’s wrong with me?
‘I’ve climbed the highest mountains’
When Ray Funnell (51) told his wife in 2006 that he had leukaemia, she thought he was joking. He wasn’t, but a sense of humour and a stem cell donation saw him through the worst. This is his story.
DID YOU KNOW?
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Our hospitals did the first minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implant procedure in Africa.
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To prevent harmful bacteria being absorbed by mattresses we use protective under sheets made from polypropylene.
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Our hospitals have been awarded international accreditation for best practice in the management of environmental systems and practices.
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Trauma patients with a critically low temperature will often be wrapped in a space blanket to reduce heat loss.
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Our corridors are 2.3m wide allowing two beds to pass one another without any interference.
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We install alcohol rub dispensers at our facilities to prevent the spread of pathogens.
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Mediclinic trains more than a thousand nurses annually at training centres throughout Southern Africa.
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Our radio-translucent theatre beds enable X-rays to be taken on the spot, without having to move the patient or disturb the procedure.
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Mediclinic Cape Town is accredited as a mother and baby friendly institution, having scored 100% at a recent external review.
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You get 20% of the water your body needs from eating fruit and vegetables.
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Combatting depression after retirement
When he hit retirement age, Paul Britton was looking forward to many years of well-earned rest. Instead, he fell into a deep depression. Here he shares how it happened – and how he worked his way out of it.
Why you shouldn’t skip antidepressants
You go away for a weekend and forget your medication at home. It happens. Depending on the meds you’re taking, the effects can be disastrous – or completely benign. A Mediclinic psychiatrist talks us through what could happen if you skip your antidepressants.
DID YOU KNOW?
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We install alcohol rub dispensers at our facilities to prevent the spread of pathogens.
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The only one in Africa and one of only 13 in the world, the P-I BrÅnemark Institute of Excellence at Mediclinic Morningside, specialises in facial reconstruction.
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Mediclinic trains more than a thousand nurses annually at training centres throughout Southern Africa.
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Our world-class neonatal units feature high frequency oscillatory ventilators to minimise lung trauma in premature babies.
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Mediclinic Cape Town is accredited as a mother and baby friendly institution, having scored 100% at a recent external review.
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Our nursing units are designed to minimise the distance between nursing staff and patients.
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Some of our hospitals have operating tables that can support patients of up to 370kg in weight and 2.2m in height.
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Most nursing units have windows overlooking gardens to promote healing.
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We monitor the temperature of our neonatal units as newborn babies are extremely sensitive to temperature change.
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A baby has a 70% better chance of surviving a motor vehicle accident if in a secure car seat and properly restrained.
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Cochlear implants for children: A father’s story
Dr Anthony Allwood, an anaesthesiologist at Mediclinic Vergelegen, shares the experience of having two of his daughters undergo a cochlear implant – and the difference it’s made in their lives.
Don’t fear the needle
Scared of needles? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. According to some estimates, one in every five people suffer from it – which can make donating blood or giving a blood sample a real nightmare…
Celebrating the survivors
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) says one in four South Africans will be affected by cancer in their lifetime – either via someone they know contracting the disease or being diagnosed with it themselves. The CANSA Relay For Life events are held locally and internationally to celebrate and remember people whose lives have been affected by cancer. Survivors, in particular, are celebrated, honoured and treated as VIPs.
In praise of nurses
They say time is a healer, but hospital patients’ recovery is also dependent on the care of committed nurses. Clinical psychologist Ilse Pauw of Mediclinic Cape Town highlights the critical needs of recuperating patients and the various roles nurses play to fulfil them.
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