Department of Surgery

Academic Head: Prof. Martin D. Smith (Chief Specialist)

Introduction

A new head of department, Martin Smith, was appointed and started work at the beginning of March 2001. He brings with him the Hepato-biliary-pancreatic unit from Helen Joseph Hospital, which is a well-established referral unit for most of the Southern Gauteng. With his arrival we thank Mr Sam Berzin for his hard work, and commitment to the department, as acting head. We also offer him our condolences on the loss of his wife and our colleague Dr Marsha Berzin.

The theatre renovations were completed and we now have a fantastic complex to work in. We hope the new environment will inspire even better work performance.

This unit also has a new head, Matron Caroline Moloi, who was recently appointed. We wish her well in her new position and look forward to working closely with her. We would like to extend our appreciation to her predecessor, Matron Makgetha, for her commitment and hard work, especially for the efficient way she managed the renovations.

The plans for a new casualty and outpatient facility have breathed a new lease of life into the department. For too many years we have been forced to provide vital emergency care to the community in less than ideal circumstances. While the standard of the care has been good, and has resulted in the high regard for the trauma work done at Bara, as evidenced by the many publications in inter-national journals, there can be no denying that the casualty facilities are in dire need of resuscitation. We hope that the new facility will give impetus to our desire to improve the quality of care provided for the greater Soweto community.

Professor Elias Degiannis has been appointed Director of Trauma Services. His experience and international reputation leave him well placed to lead the transformation of our trauma services. He has recently been appointed to the editorial board of an international journal and has been invited to speak at international congresses - recognition that is well deserved and we congratulate him on these achievements.

Our role in educating doctors is being improved. We have broadened our contact with the Soweto surgical community and they have undertaken to become more involved with our department by giving of their time to teach our students. We believe this to be an important step in becoming more involved in the community in general.

The Burns Unit celebrated its 10th anniversary and continuous to do excellent work. We have recently broadened its role in training and now have a surgeon-in-training on rotation, through the unit, at all times. We thank Johnson & Johnson for their ongoing support for this important section.

While the Department of Surgery is not as critically affected by the ongoing and growing HIV/Aids epidemic that is ravaging our country, we have to acknowledge the impact it is having on the hospital in general. In addition many of the patients treated in our department are the young and at risk population, which places all health workers at risk. Yet they all continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the patient is well cared for. We, as a department, support all efforts to ensure that the appropriate care for people with HIV/Aids is provided in the hospital and in the community.

Department of Urology

The Urological department is situated on the 4 floor of G&H ward Blocks, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Beds: The Department of Urology has 45 adult beds. Children are admitted to the Paediatric section.

Outpatient Dept: The department sees approximately 240 patients per week.

Equipment: The Department is well equipped, with the most updated urological endoscopes and laparoscopy equipment, including a modern urodynamic, power Doppler ultrasound.

Students: Fifth year medical students undergo urological training for 2 weeks. The program includes: Clerking of patients, case presentations, outpatient practical training, orientation to urological surgery, daily tutorial and departmental meetings. The two weeks of training ends with an oral exam.

Scientific program: Presently the following studies are being conducted:

• Urethral stricture influence on the level of PSA. Prospective, randomised studies. Coordinator Dr. G. Basiewicz, responsible person Dr. M. Kasapatu
• Enzymatic activities in Fuornier's gangrene and other genital sepsis
• Bacteriology of the purulent diseases of the male genitalia
• Use of radioisotopes as a guide for debriement in perineal sepsis
• Hydronephrosis related to transureteroureterostomy-YOYO effect

Establishment

Head of Urology and Principal Specialist:

• Dr. Gregory Basiewicz MD

Consultants:

• Dr. Mahomed Khan (Part time)
• Dr. Hammad Asim (Full time)
• Dr. David Ekenem (Principal Medical Officer)

Registrars on rotation:

• Dr. Oyewole Adebidi
• Dr. Thigesh Naidoo
• Dr. Tshisola Miji Kasapatu

Supernumerary Registrar:

• Dr. Faisal Tasleem

Medical Officers:

• Dr.Rashid Amjad
• Dr.Madada Nkosi
• Dr. Lloyd Thompson

Community service MO:

• Dr. Fizza Rafiq

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