Category: General Interest

Categories : Cancer General InterestTags :

What I Learned on My Journey through Breast Cancer

On By ModernMedia

In Breast Cancer Awareness Month we can all do something to help

Photo by Angiola Harry on Unsplash

By Lee-Anne Bruce

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on an ordinary Thursday afternoon in February 2023. I was 34 years old. The December before, my GP had performed a breast exam as part of a general check-up and was concerned that with my dense breast tissue she might be missing something. She wanted me to have an ultrasound, but there was no rush. Her exact words to me were something like: “Don’t worry, it can wait until you have medical aid savings again in January.”

The ultrasound turned up a small shadow, just a centimetre in diameter – something that could be a cyst, but the radiologist thought we should do a mammogram “just in case”. Would I mind waiting? No, I wouldn’t mind. The mammogram was worrying enough that she got approval to do a biopsy the next day. “Just in case”. The results came in the following week.

I had none of the risk factors for breast cancer. I didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, didn’t have any family members with a history of breast cancer, was nowhere near the age of 50. A few months later, I would find out I had none of the genetic markers which can predict risk either – not only did I test negative for the genes associated with breast cancer called BRCA 1 and 2, I didn’t have any of the genes connected with any kind of cancer at all.

As I say, I was diagnosed on a Thursday afternoon. I had my first appointment with an oncologist that Friday morning. I had my first set of scans two days later on Monday and my initial surgery the following Friday. I started chemotherapy treatment within three weeks of first having the word “cancer” used in relation to my body. My doctors moved quickly because they had to. On a scale of 1 to 9 on something called the Bloom and Richardson classification, my cancer was a 9. So, even though I was only stage 1, I was also a grade 3. “Aggressive” doesn’t begin to cover it.

During this time, I held onto five facts. First, we had caught the tumour at exactly the right time. Had I gone in for screening any earlier, we might not have found the cancer yet. Had I gone any later, it likely would have grown and spread to my lymph nodes and other parts of my body and I might have needed more radical treatment and surgeries. Second, it was treatable. My particular kind of cancer ought to respond well to a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Third, I was otherwise very healthy, aside from the cancer. Fourth, I had a medical aid which was covering almost everything I needed. And, most importantly, fifth, I had a wonderful support system of my partner and his family and our close friends to rely on.

From the beginning, I had an incredible standard of care. To the point where the doctors I saw had heated examination beds – they didn’t want their patients to experience any additional discomfort and distress during such a difficult time. And it was difficult. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy left me feeling battered and broken. Nausea, intense muscular pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, weight gain, hair loss, brain fog, depression – some of the awful side effects it’s impossible to really prepare for. In fact, I had such a hard time mentally during treatment that at one point I had to be hospitalised.

The same day I received my diagnosis, I overheard a woman in my doctor’s office asking if it was possible to make a payment plan for her treatment. The administrators replied that treatment was likely to cost in excess of R300 000 at a minimum. I cannot even begin to imagine having to go into debt to fight off cancer. For treatment that makes you feel more than just sick, more like you’re dying. For treatment that may not necessarily work.

But this is the choice that faces most people with cancer in our country. With a relatively small number of people on comprehensive medical aids with screening benefits and prescribed minimum benefits, many face waiting for treatment in government facilities or running up huge bills at private clinics.

According to the most recent report by Statistics SA, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in South Africa, accounting for 23% of all cancers. It is also one of the most deadly, representing 17% of cancer deaths in women, just behind cervical cancer.

The Stats SA report lists “awareness of the symptoms and need for screening” as the main intervention to reduce the risk of death by breast cancer. The report also draws attention to the discrepancy in mortality rates in different population groups. For example, Coloured women have a relatively low incidence of breast cancer, but a high mortality rate – meaning that they are dying of breast cancer after being diagnosed too late. Stats SA points out that this is likely due to “poor access to cancer treatment facilities” as well as a lack of medical aid coverage. It is perhaps unsurprising that Black and Coloured women are the groups least likely to have medical aid in South Africa.

There are also some NGOs trying to step in to fill the gaps, like the aptly named I Love Boobies or the PinkDrive. These organisations make it their mission to give women a fighting chance to beat breast cancer. They provide free screenings to women around the country who would otherwise not be able to afford this necessary medical care.

I am one of the lucky ones. I officially went into remission on 30 August 2023 when I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumour in my right breast. Remission means that the cancer can no longer be detected in your body through scans and blood tests. It doesn’t mean you’re “cured”. There could still be cancerous cells in the body, which is why cancer is also often treated with radiation like mine was. Some people prefer not to use the term “survivor” until they have been in remission for over five years.

Five years is an important milestone for many people diagnosed with cancer. It’s often the period in which someone is most likely to suffer a relapse. I live with the possibility that my cancer will come back every day; I am reminded by my scars and by the fact that I am still recovering physically and mentally from a traumatic year. I still battle with periods of fatigue and depression and I will never be the same person I was before falling ill.

Still, remission is better than relapse. So far, so good. I continue to see my myriad of doctors every few months for scans and tests and examinations to check that nothing has come back yet and I feel like I’m getting stronger.

Almost a year to the day after I went into remission, my fiancé and I ran the Johannesburg Women’s Race in support of the PinkDrive. A mobile health unit was parked on the field in Mark’s Park offering free screenings all morning, which women were queuing up to access after the run. The festive atmosphere was bittersweet to me. Certainly, some of the women in that line would not know that they were starting on a long and painful journey, a journey which sometimes feels like it has no end. Hopefully, they would be starting early enough to be given a chance to become a survivor.

There’s another meaning of “remission” I wasn’t aware of until I looked it up. It can also be defined as “a cancellation of debt”. No-one with cancer should have to crowdfund in order to get treatment, but that is the reality we are faced with in our country. This October, I encourage everyone to contribute in whatever way they can to a cancer survivor’s remission. Join the Imagine Challenge, try a secret swim, pick up a pink bottle of milk or a scrunchie, support someone raising funds on GivenGain, get yourself examined. Every one of us can join the fight against breast cancer.

Republished from GroundUp under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence.

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Categories : General Interest Medical Research & TechnologyTags :

Glenda Gray’s Fierce Fight for Science, the COVID-19 Ruckus, and the Bathroom Row about HIV Drugs

On By ModernMedia
Professor Glenda Gray, internationally known for her research in HIV vaccines and interventions to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child, received the country’s highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe, in 2013. (Photo: Biénne Huisman/Spotlight)

By Biénne Huisman

After a decade at the helm of the country’s primary health research funder, Professor Glenda Gray will focus again on doing the science. She tells Spotlight’s Biénne Huisman about her childhood, her passion for research, administering multi-million dollar grants, and a heated argument in the bathroom with an ANC bigwig.

Professor Glenda Gray, the first woman president and chief executive of South Africa’s Medical Research Council (SAMRC), has among others been described as outspoken, credible and tenacious. After a decade at the helm of the SAMRC, Gray retains her reputation for fearlessly speaking truth to power.

“Heading the SAMRC was definitely the best job of my life,” says Gray. “But I am excited about my future, it’s time for another best job. After ten years of doing science administration, it’s time to get back and do the science.”

Perhaps Gray’s fierce spirit was honed in her childhood, growing up in Boksburg on the East Rand, “on the wrong side of the tracks”. She laughs, remembering how American cable news channel ABC sub-titled her first TV interview, due to her strong “East Rand accent”.

Investing in research

From a childhood of counting cents, these days Gray administers multi-million dollar grants and passionately makes the case for greater investment in scientific research.

She says that while South Africa’s health department has competing priorities, ideally it should double or triple its allocation to research.

“We spend a lot of time trying to show the Department of Health how important science is. And so while there is commitment from them, they’re so busy worrying about services; healthcare workers, doctors, hospitals falling down, no equipment, no cancer treatment. And so, sometimes science is seen as esoteric and a luxury.”

Speaking to Spotlight during her lunch break at an SAMRC event in Cape Town, Gray adds: “Science gives you evidence to reduce morbidity and mortality. All the things that change people’s lives; like covid vaccines, ARVs, mother to child transmission interventions, typically these stem from research. And so, you can only improve outcomes if you fund research. Currently, the SAMRC gets around R750 million from government a year; in my view, around R2 to 3 billion a year is needed to really make profound investments in research.”

Supplementing the funding from the government, the SAMRC has scores of international funders and collaborators, such as the United States National Institutes for Health. One concern with such international donor funding is that local research may end up pandering to agendas set abroad.

Gray rejects this suggestion. “We [the SAMRC] always fund the ten most common causes of mortality and morbidity in South Africa. So the funders who work with us have to agree on funding what we deem our priorities.”

One of these priorities is transformation. “So I spent ten years of my life changing who we funded, where we funded, how we funded; changing the demographics of the SAMRC, creating an executive management committee that was diverse, and being able to attract a great black scientist [Professor Ntobeko Ntusi] to take over from me,” says Gray.

While having passed the public mantle onto Ntusi in July, the paediatrician and renowned HIV vaccinologist, named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2017, will continue her HIV vaccine research. Gray is heading a major USAID funded study aimed at “galvanising African scientists, mostly women, into discovering and making an HIV vaccine.” She also holds tenure as a distinguished professor at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute.

Give and take

Speaking to Spotlight, Gray reflects on managing the political side of the SAMRC – the intersection between politics and science: “As the president of the MRC, you have to be very brave and you have to be able to speak truth to power. Sometimes it’s hard, and sometimes it’s easy.”

This, she says, is a dance of give and take: “The relationship has to be flexible. Because, sometimes scientists are wrong and politicians are right. Sometimes politicians are wrong and scientists are right. And sometimes both are wrong, and sometimes both are right. And our egos can get in the way. You know: ‘Oh, you took me off the MAC [Ministerial Advisory Committee], now I’m not going to help you’. That’s not the right attitude to have…”

COVID-19 lockdown ruckus

Gray served on the Department of Health’s COVID-19 MAC at the height of the pandemic. In May 2020, she caused a ruckus for breaking away from the committee’s more measured counsel, turning to the press to criticise government’s lockdown regulations as “unscientific”.

She said the hard lockdown was causing unemployment and unnecessary hardship and malnourishment in poor families. Later as the hard lockdown started to lift, she spoke out against government’s continuation of restrictions on school going, the sale of certain foods and clothes like open-toe footwear, and the limits on outdoor exercise. “It’s almost as if someone is sucking regulations out of their thumb and implementing rubbish, quite frankly,” she told journalists at the time.

Then health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize rebuked Gray’s claims and sidelined her in the MAC before excluding her from a newly constituted MAC in September. The acting Director-General of Health, Anban Pillay, wrote to the SAMRC board urging them to investigate Gray’s conduct. As the fray deepened, the SAMRC board failed to back Gray. The council’s boardwas was acting in a “sycophantic manner aimed at political appeasement”, lamented a guest editorial published in the South African Medical Journal.

Despite this public falling-out, the following year, in February 2021, Gray worked with Mkhize to bring vaccines to South Africa’s healthcare workers.

“So basically at that stage government didn’t have a vaccine programme, and I bailed them out,” she tells Spotlight.

In February 2021, results from a clinical trial showed that the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine – then intended for rollout in South Africa – performed poorly in preventing mild to moderate illness caused by the Beta variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was dominant at the time.

Gray says she was approached by Mkhize about an alternative vaccine – to which she responded by facilitating the procurement of 500 000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine through personal connections. These were officially rolled out to healthcare workers on February 17, when President Cyril Ramaphosa received his jab at the Khayelitsha District Hospital. Spotlight previously reported in more detail on the procurement of those first 500 000 doses.

“The vaccines arrived in Johannesburg at about midnight,” Gray recalls. “Then the plane with the president’s vaccine touched down in Cape Town at 12:20pm; and we had to rush it to Khayelitsha to have him vaccinated at one o’clock”.

A bathroom row with a minister

Gray is no stranger to fighting for policies and treatments based on scientific evidence. She recalls an altercation with former health minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in a bathroom at the presidential residence in Pretoria (Mahlamba Ndlopfu) in the late 1990s – the era of AIDS-denialism under then President Thabo Mbeki.

“Thabo Mbeki had a national AIDS plan and they were about to publish it. So there was a meeting; we were presenting, and we had data that mother to child transmission interventions were affordable, or that it was actually cheaper to give ARVs to a pregnant woman, than to treat a child who is HIV positive. But they kept on saying it was unaffordable, and that they wouldn’t be doing it. And then, when I saw Dlamini-Zuma in the bathroom, I got into a fight with her and said: ‘but it is affordable!’”

Early years in Boksburg

One of six children born to a “maverick father”, whip-smart but taken to getting involved in crazy schemes, and a mother who later in life became a Baptist minister, Gray says they grew up poor.

“My parents would often run out of money in the middle of the month, having to scrounge for food, borrow milk or buy on the book (credit arrangements). So I know what it’s like to be on the other side of privilege.”

Gray relays how neighbours would drop by at her childhood home to borrow cups of sugar, to spy on their family – as, during apartheid, her father would entertain friends of colour.

Gray matriculated from Boksburg High School in 1980. The next year she enrolled for medical school at Wits, working part-time to pay her way: “I worked at an ABC shoe store, Joshua Door, selling furniture, making Irish coffees at Ster Kinekor, waitressing…”

In 1993, as HIV exploded across the country; pregnant with her first child, Gray watched her own stomach expand while treating HIV-positive expectant mothers at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. “In those days, there were no ARVs for children,” she recalls. “And so women had to navigate this joy of a new life, with the fact that death was looming over them.”

Today, Gray has three children and lives in Kenilworth in Cape Town.

Commenting on her reputation for standing up to pressure, she smiles. “My tongue has gotten me into trouble. How do I feel about that? I just want to make sure that as scientists we let politicians and society know the data and the evidence. I feel passionate about translating science, I feel passionate about evidence. I feel passionate about science changing the world.”

Republished from Spotlight under a Creative Commons licence.

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Categories : General Interest Injury & TraumaTags :

Meet Kamogelo – The Teen with the Can-do Attitude

On By ModernMedia

Spinal cord injury survivor is a capable and helpful big brother

Kamogelo Sodi, who was injured in a car crash when he was just six years old, says he learned valuable skills on how to regain his independence at the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital. The teenager enjoys cooking for himself, taking care of his three younger brothers, and playing basketball when he’s not studying hard to achieve his dream of being a medical practitioner one day.

5 September 2024: At 14 years old, Kamogelo Sodi of Alberton enjoys listening to music, chatting with his friends on social media and working hard at school towards his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon one day. He cooks for himself when he’s hungry and loves looking after his three little brothers. He also likes playing basketball. The difference between him and most other teenagers is that he does all this from his wheelchair.

“Since I’ve been in a wheelchair, I’ve become more confident,” says the vivacious teenager. “I was extremely shy, and I didn’t have a lot of friends, but now I have loads of friends.”

In 2016, when he was just six years old, Kamogelo’s life changed forever. He was in a devastating car crash, which left him with fractures in the lumbar region of his spine, resulting in complete paraplegia.

Once discharged from the hospital, where he had emergency surgery, Kamogelo was sent to the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital to learn how to cope with, as his mother Reshoketswe Sodi calls it, his new normal. He was to stay there for almost six months.

Mrs Sodi, a radiation therapist, says the enduring care of the doctors, occupational therapists and physiotherapists there helped support Kamogelo and their family on their journey towards accepting and learning to cope with this difficult transition in his life. “It was important for me that he continued his schoolwork while there. When the social worker asked me what I wanted to happen, the first thing I said was that I didn’t want to break the routine of what he had been doing and that I wanted him to continue with school.

“It’s been a struggle, but with the help of the occupational therapists and physiotherapists, it has been an easier journey. We saw real progress when they taught Kamogelo something, and he grasped it, putting all his energy into it by thinking positively about it. It’s been hard, but with the support of the team from Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, we managed it,” she says.

“After he was discharged, initially, we lived in a flat on the seventh floor. When the lifts weren’t working, like during load shedding, I’d have to carry him upstairs on my back – there was no other way to take him up. I’m so fortunate that I had a lot of support from my family and friends who’ve been pillars of strength for us.”

Kamogelo remembers his first visit to the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital in Auckland Park. “When I first got to the hospital, I was lost. I didn’t know how to use a wheelchair. I was still so young. But they were so kind and taught me everything I needed to know. 

“At first, I struggled to move around. I battled to transfer myself from place to place, but they showed me what to do, and over time, I started getting used to it. I managed to start moving myself around, and I began to enjoy it. From that day forward, I didn’t like people pushing me around. The staff also taught me how to transfer myself from my wheelchair to the car. It was a bit difficult at first, but I learned to push myself up properly so my bottom wouldn’t scrape on the wheelchair.

“It does help you become more independent, but you must be consistent. You don’t need to complain about things,  you just need to listen to the people who want to help you learn to be independent.”

Later, in 2022, when he was 12 years old, Kamogelo returned to the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital after he developed a severe pressure sore.

Dr Anrie Carstens, a doctor at the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, said Kamogelo was operated on at Netcare Milpark Hospital under the care of a plastic surgeon who did a flap to close the wound. “When the doctor was happy with his progress, Kamogelo came to us to help him because you get weak after surgery. The wound had healed, but the skin was delicate, so we had a graded seating approach for him to build up his strength and so that the areas of the skin didn’t break down. Another area of focus for Kamogelo was spasticity at the ankles. We worked on relaxing the ankles to get to a ninety-degree angle so he could sit better in his chair with his feet positioned well in the footrest.”

When homesickness inevitably struck, the staff comforted Kamogelo. “I began to miss home, and I cried and said I wanted to go home. They spoke nicely to me and said they first had to help me so I could go back home with no problems so my parents wouldn’t have to worry about me because of the pressure sore.”

Kamogelo said the staff also taught him valuable techniques to help him empty his bladder and bowels and assisted him in his journey to independence. “I was worried it would be painful and was a bit hesitant to try them out. But, doing it daily helped my routine and helped me become independent.”

Charne Cox, a physiotherapist at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, describes Kamogelo as bubbly, intelligent and with lovely manners. “He’s so motivated and tried so hard in therapy. He manages to go to school each day, not because of us, but because of his character.”

She says as children grow, their needs change. “The pressure sore developed because his seating in his wheelchair was not adequate because he had grown so much. We collaborated with the wheelchair manufacturer to re-evaluate and reassess the wheelchair seating, and they made him a new wheelchair. He was getting heavier, and his feet weren’t in alignment, so it was trickier for him to safely transfer from the wheelchair to the bed, for instance. It was good to re-educate him on pressure relief and pressure sores. It’s vital that adolescents are taught to take responsibility for themselves.”

Cox also helped Kamogelo work towards getting his feet in a better position.

“Children are so good about learning to use a wheelchair. Kamogelo was so motivated to move and be independent. He absorbed the information we gave him to enable him to go up ramps, turn and even do wheelies because he liked to explore.

“Children want to learn and have fun. They want to be independent. It’s amazing to help give them the tools to be the best new person they can be. Unfortunately, sometimes we can’t fix the injury, but we can give them the best opportunity to be as independent as possible. It’s so satisfying to know that Kamogelo is going to school and playing basketball.”

Kamogelo is determined to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon. “As long as I follow the path that I want to do and enjoy it, I will continue pursuing that path.  Academically, I was the top achiever from grade four to grade six at my school.”

When he’s not at school, he loves going around the estate he lives in, getting fresh air, and being a good big brother to his three younger brothers. “They’re a handful, but what can I say – they’re my brothers, and I love them,” he says with a laugh.

Asked who his hero is, Kamogelo is quick to say his mother and father are both his heroes. His mom clearly thinks he’s a hero too. She’s smiling as she speaks about her son. “He’s playful and has a great sense of humour. He’s helpful in the house. Instead of wanting us to help him, thanks to the skills he learned at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, Kamogelo always says, ‘Let me give you a hand. Let me help you.’”

Categories : General Interest NeurologyTags :

fMRI Discovers Where Love Resides in the Brain

On By ModernMedia
The image represents a statistical average of how different types of love light up different regions of the brain. Photo: Pärttyli Rinne et al 2024, Aalto University.

We use the word ‘love’ in a bewildering range of contexts, from sexual adoration to parental love or the love of nature. Now, more comprehensive imaging of the brain may shed light on why we use the same word for such a diverse collection of human experiences.

“You see your newborn child for the first time. The baby is soft, healthy and hearty – your life’s greatest wonder. You feel love for the little one.”

The above statement was one of many simple scenarios presented to 55 parents, self-described as being in a loving relationship. Researchers from Aalto University utilised functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity while subjects mulled brief stories related to six different types of love.

“We now provide a more comprehensive picture of the brain activity associated with different types of love than previous research,” says Pärttyli Rinne, the philosopher and researcher who coordinated the study. “The activation pattern of love is generated in social situations in the basal ganglia, the midline of the forehead, the precuneus and the temporoparietal junction at the sides of the back of the head.”

Love for one’s children generated the most intense brain activity, closely followed by romantic love.

“In parental love, there was activation deep in the brain’s reward system in the striatum area while imagining love, and this was not seen for any other kind of love,” says Rinne. Love for romantic partners, friends, strangers, pets and nature were also part of the study, which was published in the journal Cerebral Cortex.

According to the research, brain activity is influenced not only by the closeness of the object of love, but also by whether it is a human being, another species or nature.

Unsurprisingly, compassionate love for strangers was less rewarding and caused less brain activation than love in close relationships. Meanwhile, love of nature activated the reward system and visual areas of the brain, but not the social brain areas.

Pet-owners identifiable by brain activity

The biggest surprise for the researchers was that the brain areas associated with love between people ended up being very similar, with differences lying primarily in the intensity of activation. All types of interpersonal love activated areas of the brain associated with social cognition, in contrast to love for pets or nature – with one exception.

Subjects’ brain responses to a statement like the following, on average, revealed whether or not they shared their life with a furry friend:

“You are home lolling on the couch and your pet cat pads over to you. The cat curls up next to you and purrs sleepily. You love your pet.”

“When looking at love for pets and the brain activity associated with it, brain areas associated with sociality statistically reveal whether or not the person is a pet owner. When it comes to the pet owners, these areas are more activated than with non-pet owners,” says Rinne.

Love activations were controlled for in the study with neutral stories in which very little happened. For example, looking out the bus window or absent-mindedly brushing your teeth. After hearing a professional actor’s rendition of each ‘love story’, participants were asked to imagine each emotion for 10 seconds.

This is not the first effort at finding love for Rinne and his team, which includes researchers Juha Lahnakoski, Heini Saarimäki, Mikke Tavast, Mikko Sams and Linda Henriksson. They have undertaken several studies seeking to deepen our scientific knowledge of human emotions. The group released research mapping subjects’ bodily experiences of love a year ago, with the earlier study also linking the strongest physical experiences of love with close interpersonal relationships.

Not only can understanding the neural mechanisms of love help guide philosophical discussions about the nature of love, consciousness, and human connection, but also, the researchers hope that their work will enhance mental health interventions in conditions like attachment disorders, depression or relationship issues.

Source: Aalto University

Categories : General InterestTags :

Shattering Ceilings: How Women are Revolutionising Healthcare in SA

On By ModernMedia
Nokuzola Mtshiya

In South Africa’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape, women are not just participants—they are pioneers, breaking barriers and driving transformative change. With women making up approximately 51.1% of South Africa’s population and over 50% of the African continent’s population of more than 1.4 billion people, their contributions are integral to the region’s progress. In the healthcare sector, women form the backbone of the workforce, representing a significant majority in roles ranging from frontline patient care to high-level decision-making.

writes Ms Nokuzola Mtshiya, Head: Stakeholder Relations and Business Development, Board of Healthcare Funders

The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) celebrates the incredible women who are leading the charge, advocating for equity, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusivity at every level of the system. As trailblazers, they are not only providing essential frontline care but are also shaping strategies that will influence the future of healthcare in South Africa and beyond. This moment calls for even more women to step into leadership roles, to amplify their impact and continue to reshape the future of healthcare across the continent. Among the many remarkable women making a difference, we celebrate a few who are setting the standard for excellence and progress in the sector.

Professor Deborah Glencross: Revolutionising HIV diagnostic immunology

Professor Deborah Glencross’s journey from childhood, which was marked by frequent hospital visits, to becoming a leading expert in haematology and molecular medicine. is nothing short of extraordinary. Initially aspiring to be a paediatrician, her path changed due to health challenges. This shift led her to a groundbreaking career at the National Health Laboratory Service, where she has made a significant impact in the field of HIV care.

Prof Glencross’s development of the PanLeucogated (PLG) CD4 assay has been pivotal in improving the quality and affordability of CD4 testing, a crucial aspect of HIV care. Her innovation has saved South Africa approximately R12 billion, reflecting her ability to drive significant advancements despite resource limitations. This achievement underscores the potential for local insights and creativity to lead to profound healthcare improvements.

Throughout her career, Prof Glencross has been deeply involved in flow cytometry technology, which contributed to her pioneering work in HIV diagnostics. Her success is also attributed to the mentorship she received from influential figures such as Prof Barry Mendelow and Prof Ruben Sher. Their support helped shape her research focus and contributed to her international recognition.

Prof Glencross’s career highlights the importance of persistence and effective management of both professional and personal responsibilities. She advises young women in healthcare to seek support and let go of guilt, emphasising the need for better support systems such as on-site childcare and flexible work hours. Her vision for the future includes driving impactful solutions through local knowledge and creativity rather than relying solely on large grants. 

This driven and caring healthcare professional’s legacy is testimony to the significant impact that dedicated individuals can have on transforming healthcare and improving lives.

Dr Gloria Tshukudu: Innovator in plastic and reconstructive surgery

Dr Gloria Tshukudu’s career in healthcare is a powerful example of dedication and resilience. From a young age, influenced by her mother’s career as a nurse, Dr Tshukudu knew she wanted to be a doctor. Despite facing numerous challenges, including struggles with specialisation and balancing professional demands with personal responsibilities, she remained steadfast in her commitment to medicine.

Dr Tshukudu has achieved notable milestones in her career, including becoming the first South African woman to qualify as a plastic surgeon in 2013, pioneering research on chemical peels for ethnic skin and making significant advancements in plastic surgery. Her contributions have not only advanced her field but have also helped address issues related to gender dynamics and representation within healthcare.

Navigating the complex interplay between work, family responsibilities and societal expectations has been a significant part of Dr Tshukudu’s career. She has advocated for improved support systems, including better maternity leave and access to childcare, to enhance the working conditions for women in healthcare. Her leadership style emphasises empathy, support, and perseverance, reflecting her belief in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Dr Tshukudu’s efforts have significantly increased the representation of women and marginalised groups in healthcare. Through mentoring and supporting younger professionals, she has contributed to the evolution of the healthcare sector, ensuring that future generations benefit from the advancements and opportunities she has championed.

Melanie Da Costa: A visionary in healthcare strategy and policy

Melanie Da Costa is a trailblazer in healthcare strategy and policy. She combines her expertise as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Master of Commerce (MCom) to make a profound impact on the healthcare sector. Her career began in the investment world, where she distinguished herself as a healthcare investment analyst and fund manager. Notably, she served as the Head of Equity Research for HSBC’s South African office, showcasing her deep understanding of financial dynamics and strategic insight.

In May 2006, Da Costa transitioned to Netcare, where she has been instrumental in the organisation’s strategic evolution. Her role in founding the Health Policy Unit has been crucial in shaping national health policy. Her responsibilities at Netcare include overseeing health policy, funder contracting and strategic initiatives, with a focus on international opportunities until 2018.

Da Costa’s influence extends beyond South Africa. She has played a key role in global healthcare policy discussions, leading Netcare’s participation in the South African Competition Commission Healthcare Market Inquiry and serving as the Board lead in the UK’s Competition Markets Authority Healthcare Inquiry. Her strategic acumen was further demonstrated during her tenure on the Board of BMI Healthcare in the United Kingdom, where she contributed until the group’s change of control in 2018.

Currently serving as the Managing Director of Netcare Akeso, Da Costa continues to drive strategic growth and innovation. Her leadership during the government-led pandemic response, including the vaccine rollout, was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 from the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA), honouring her contributions to health policy and unwavering commitment to improving healthcare systems. 

Dr Keo Tabane: Shaping the future of oncology care

Dr Keo Tabane’s journey into oncology bears witness to her unwavering commitment to service and excellence. Raised by an Anglican priest, her formative years instilled in her a profound sense of purpose, steering her toward a career where she could make a meaningful impact.

After completing her undergraduate training in 1999, Dr Tabane embarked on her medical career with an internship at Kalafong Hospital, followed by community service in Makopane. 

A defining moment in Dr Tabane’s career came early on during her internship when she faced prejudices as a young black woman. Instead of being deterred, she used this challenge as fuel for her drive, leading to her success and subsequent invitation to return as a specialist.

Her dedication and expertise earned her the prestigious Charlotte MacLeachy Award for medical excellence in 2019. By 2002, she returned to Johannesburg, becoming a specialist in internal medicine and later a pioneering force in medical oncology.

Dr Tabane attributes much of her success to the mentorship of Dr Daniel Vorobyov, whose guidance profoundly influenced her patient-centred approach. Balancing the demands of a high-stakes career with personal life has not been without its challenges. She views work-life integration as a dynamic dance rather than a static balance, blending her professional and personal spheres to enhance both.

Her advice to aspiring women in healthcare emphasises the importance of self-care and respecting personal boundaries. Dr Tabane envisions her legacy as one defined by a focus on patient-centred care, advocating for initiatives to tackle burnout and promote value-based care that keeps pace with medical innovation. Her vision for the future of healthcare is one where progress and patient welfare are intertwined, ensuring that every advancement serves to enhance the quality of care.

These women exemplify leadership and innovation in South Africa’s healthcare sector, making significant contributions that drive progress and equity. From advancing diagnostics and pioneering new treatments to shaping policy and driving strategic growth, their diverse achievements highlight the transformative power of women in healthcare. 

Their dedication and impact ensure that adequate healthcare reaches every corner of the nation, inspiring future generations to continue their legacy of excellence and service.

Categories : General InterestTags :

Celebrating Aurélien Breton: A Champion of Patient Access to Innovation in South Africa

On By ModernMedia

In a world where healthcare challenges are evolving at an unprecedented pace, innovative leadership has become the cornerstone of transformative progress. 

Visionaries such as Aurélien Breton exemplify this dynamic approach, blending passion with strategic insight to drive meaningful change. By placing patient wellbeing at the heart of their mission, these leaders are not merely navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape, but redefining it. 

Their commitment to advancing patient access and optimising care underscores a powerful message: that true leadership in healthcare is about more than just responding to current needs, but anticipating future demands and crafting solutions that elevate the quality of life for patients around the globe.

For nearly five years, Aurélien has been a driving force within the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA), serving as a cornerstone of the Executive Committee and leading the Patient Access to Innovation (PAI) Working Group. 

His journey with IPASA reflects a deep commitment to improving patient access to life-saving medicines, tackling the significant challenges within South Africa’s healthcare system, and advocating for those most in need.

“For me, being a part of IPASA means engaging in a collective effort that extends beyond personal or corporate interests to enhance the broader healthcare landscape in South Africa,” says Aurélien.

A native of France and current Managing Director of Southern and Eastern Africa at Servier, Aurélien’s passion for healthcare brought him to South Africa in 2019 driven by a desire to contribute to something greater than himself and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all South African patients. 

“I am a firm believer that a true leader is someone who wakes up every morning driven by a deep sense of purpose. For me, that purpose is ensuring access to innovative medicines for those who need them most. Our work in providing medicines transcends mere numbers; it profoundly impacts the lives of patients and their families, enhancing their quality of life and serving a greater purpose beyond business,” he adds.

While Aurélien’s role has evolved since joining IPASA, his mission has remained constant – to address barriers to patient access and help patients benefit from innovative medicines. Under his leadership, the PAI Working Group has engaged key stakeholders, including government bodies, medical schemes, and patient advocacy groups, to improve access to innovative treatments. 

Aurélien admits that despite engaging with all relevant stakeholders, progress has been sluggish. He attributes this to the healthcare environment at large, where excessive processes and regulations dilute responsibilities and hinder effective action. 

“Constructing a path to improvement is challenging due to unresponsiveness and barriers, including a lack of urgency from some stakeholders and uncertainty surrounding the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. This has slowed efforts to enhance patient access to life-saving medicines. We must focus on refining the existing system rather than waiting for a complete overhaul.”

Despite these challenges, including others such as infrastructure, access to innovative medicines and their associated high costs, Aurélien and the team have made significant strides. Most notably, the Group has been instrumental in fostering strong engagement between medical schemes, the Council for Medical Schemes, patient advocacy groups, and others; while several prominent medical schemes, such as Discovery Health and Medscheme have entered into agreements that could improve access to innovative medicines in the future. 

Aurélien is quick to credit the collective efforts and dedication of the PAI Working Group for the progress achieved during his tenure, acknowledging their willingness to invest time and energy in something greater than themselves. He recognises the significant long-term commitment required, noting the burdensome and relentless nature of the work, which can lead to discouragement or frustration. Despite facing hurdles, the PAI Working Group has met these with resilience and determination to drive progress and effect meaningful change.

While Aurélien has helped achieve significant strides in improving patient access across the South African healthcare landscape, he is eager to broaden his impact by extending his expertise to other countries where he will continue his work in improving patient access.  

“While I am sad to be moving from South Africa, I believe I have helped set the foundation for change in the country. Even though the registration of innovative medicines has improved, access to these potentially life-saving medicines and increasing the public visibility of patient voices remains a challenge. I implore everyone involved to continue working tirelessly to break down these barriers, ensuring that all patients can benefit from the innovations that have the power to transform their lives. The work is far from over, and we must maintain our commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for all,” concludes Aurélien. 

Reflecting on Aurélien’s contributions, Bada Pharasi, CEO at IPASA, adds: “Aurélien’s commitment to improving patient access and healthcare innovation reflects a deep-seated passion for making a tangible difference. As he embarks on this new chapter, we, as IPASA, thank him for his commitment and drive to contribute positively to the healthcare landscape in South Africa. His influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire and impact many in the industry.”

Categories : General Interest HospitalsTags :

Meeting at Eye Level in Hospitals Improves Patient Experience and Outcomes

On By ModernMedia

Review of research suggests patients feel better when providers sit or crouch during bedside conversations

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Doctors and other healthcare workers, you may want to sit down for this news. A systematic review of studies suggests that getting at a patient’s eye level when talking with them about their diagnosis or care can really make a difference. 

Their findings, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, revealed that sitting or crouching at a hospitalised patient’s bedside was associated with more trust, satisfaction and even better clinical outcomes than standing, according to the review of evidence.

The study’s authors, from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, note that most of the studies on this topic varied with their interventions and outcomes, and were found to have high risk of bias. 

So, the researchers sat down and figured out how to study the issue as part of their own larger evaluation of how different nonverbal factors impact care, perceptions and outcomes.

Until their study ends, they say their systematic review should prompt clinicians and hospital administrators to encourage more sitting at the bedside. 

Something as simple as making folding chairs and stools available in or near patient rooms could help – and in fact, the VA Ann Arbor has installed folding chairs in many hospital rooms at the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center.

Nathan Houchens, MD, the U-M Medical School faculty member and VA hospitalist who worked with U-M medical students to review the evidence on this topic, says they focused on physician posture because of the power dynamics and hierarchy of hospital-based care. 

We hope our work will bring more recognition to the significance of sitting and the general conclusion that patients appreciate it.”

-Nathan Houchens, M.D.

An attending or resident physician can shift that relationship with a patient by getting down to eye level instead of standing over them, he notes. 

He credits the idea for the study to two former medical students, who have now graduated and gone on to further medical training elsewhere: Rita Palanjian, M.D., and Mariam Nasrallah, M.D. 

“It turns out that only 14 studies met criteria for evaluation in our systematic review of the impacts of moving to eye level, and only two of them were rigorous experiments,” said Houchens. 

“Also, the studies measured many different things, from length of the patient encounter and patient impressions of empathy and compassion, to hospitals’ overall patient evaluation scores as measured by standardised surveys like the federal HCAHPS survey.”

In general, he says, the data paint the picture that patients prefer clinicians who are sitting or at eye level, although this wasn’t universally true. 

And many studies acknowledged that even when physicians were assigned to sit with their patients, they didn’t always do so – especially if dedicated seating was not available. 

Houchens knows from supervising U-M medical students and residents at the VA that clinicians may be worried that sitting down will prolong the interaction when they have other patients and duties to get to. 

But the evidence the team reviewed suggests this is not the case. 

He notes that other factors, such as concerns about infection transmission, can also make it harder to consistently get to eye level. 

“We hope our work will bring more recognition to the significance of sitting and the general conclusion that patients appreciate it,” said Houchens. 

Making seating available, encouraging physicians to get at eye level, and senior physicians making a point to sit as role models for their students and residents, could help too. 

A recently launched VA/U-M study, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and called the M-Wellness Laboratory study, includes physician posture as part of a bundle of interventions aimed at making hospital environments more conducive to healing and forming bonds between patient and provider. 

In addition to encouraging providers to sit by their patients’ bedsides, the intervention also includes encouraging warm greetings as providers enter patient rooms and posing questions to patients about their priorities and backgrounds during conversations.

The researchers will look for any differences in hospital length of stay, readmissions, patient satisfaction scores, and other measures between the units where the bundle of interventions is being rolled out, and those where it is not yet.

Source: University of Michigan

Categories : General Interest VaccinesTags :

“Not Being Afraid to Speak out, it does get me into Trouble Quite Often,” Says Prof Shabir Madhi

On By ModernMedia
Professor Shabir Madhi of Wits University. Photo: supplied.

By Biénne Huisman

Amid the uncertainty of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Shabir Madhi often stood out for his clarity of thought in making sense of rapidly evolving scientific evidence. Biénne Huisman chatted to Madhi about vaccines, ongoing challenges with the Gauteng health department, and being outspoken about issues such as the war in Gaza.

Professor Shabir Madhi became known to many in South Africa for leading the charge in two of the first COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials conducted in Africa – those for the AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines. At a time of much scientific uncertainty, he was often quoted in the press – gaining a reputation for keeping his cool and calling things as he saw them based on available evidence.

He spoke out against the politicisation of science and was a staunch advocate for access to vaccines, especially for older people at higher risk of severe illness and death. He wasn’t afraid to ruffle feathers, openly criticising government’s COVID-19 vaccine communication efforts and arguing that government should take vaccines to the people, rather than the other way around. He called for the ending of strict lockdowns, before many others did so. Reflecting on his reputation for not holding back on his beliefs, he admits to “having a short fuse, especially when people are talking nonsense – or what I consider to be entirely off the mark”.

What may be less obvious to the public, is that Madhi’s healthcare impact precedes COVID by decades.

Internationally respected for his research into paediatric infectious diseases, his work has helped to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and informed World Health Organization policy (WHO) – notably relating to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (to prevent pneumonia and meningitis) and the rotavirus vaccine (to prevent diarrhoeal disease in young children).

His work continues. Just last year a landmark study, led in South Africa by Madhi’s Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), found that immunisation of pregnant women safely protected their unborn babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As Spotlight reported at the time, researchers estimate the vaccine can save thousands of young lives.

Speaking to Spotlight over Zoom from Wits in Johannesburg, where he is Dean of Health Sciences, Madhi relays his love of treating kids – who “most importantly, don’t lie, and who are the most vulnerable”.

“Accidental vaccinologist”

Madhi has been described as an “accidental vaccinologist”. Shrugging inside a navy suit, he says he never intended to become a physician, let alone a professor in vaccinology. At medical school at Wits, he nearly dropped out after a month.

As a child, growing up in Lenasia, Madhi wanted to become an engineer. But born to a mathematics teacher father and a stay at home mum, money was tight. His only opportunity to attend university presented itself via a bursary in medicine.

“I only really started to enjoy medicine once I specialised in paediatrics,” he says. “But more importantly, that’s when I realised the huge potential that existed in medicine to make a difference, particularly the potential for vaccines to make a big difference over a short period of time – not on an individual level, but at a community level. And that’s what really drove me into the space of research.”

While doing his peadiatric training at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (he obtained a master’s degree in paediatrics from Wits in 1998), it struck him that the leading causes of death among children were entirely preventable.

“Back then, close to 750 000 children were dying of measles globally; half of those deaths were happening in Africa, despite the vaccine for measles being available since the 1970s. South Africa was one of the countries with a poor public immunisation programme; up until 1992 South Africa didn’t have a public immunisation programme.”

In 2009, in a first on the African continent, pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines were finally officially rolled out in South Africa.

“While I was training at Baragwanath, there was a ward just for children with gastroenteritis or diarrhoea,” he recalls. “But six months after we introduced the rotavirus vaccine in South Africa [in 2009], we shut down the diarrhoea ward at Baragwanath and probably every other diarrhoea ward in the country.”

Contributing internationally

Today Madhi’s CV is long. He sits on scores of scientific advisory committees, attending conferences and delivering talks around the world.

Since 2019, he has served on a global panel of experts convened by the WHO, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), of which he now is deputy chair. He also chairs the SAGE working group on polio.

“I’m really enjoying SAGE at the moment,” he says. “This is where I think I am making a meaningful contribution. It really is an eye opener to the different types of research that’s taking place globally; but also the type of challenges we face in terms of ensuring that children are adequately immunised.

“It’s great to be working on new vaccines, coming up with new vaccines; but that’s a meaningless exercise unless you can ensure that those vaccines are getting into the arms of children – because that is what saves lives. So yes, dealing with issues around implementation and advocacy.”

SAGE requires frequent trips to Geneva, where the WHO is based.

Our discussion turns to business travel – the amount required for a researcher to remain “relevant and competitive”. With typical candour, Madhi outlines challenges faced by researchers from the global south.

“I think coming from South Africa, coming from the African continent, it’s more of a challenge for researchers to establish themselves, for a number of reasons. Firstly to become known in the international space, you probably need to deliver so much more than what is expected from our northern hemisphere counterparts.

“Then in addition to the inconvenience of needing to travel so often, there are subtle things which people in the northern hemisphere don’t have to deal with. Needing to get visas and dealing with customs officials when entering countries.

“It can become an extremely unpleasant experience, and you really need to swallow your pride given what is blatant racism at times. For example, nowadays I refuse to fly through Germany because the customs office in Frankfurt is probably the worst I have encountered. All of a sudden, they would keep me and question me for both arrival, as well as departure…”

Local challenges

The discussion turns back to South Africa, and health challenges in his home province of Gauteng. Here also Madhi has tried to make a difference, but it hasn’t been plain sailing.

Commenting on a floundered memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between Wits and the Gauteng Department of Health in June 2022, Madhi says: “The bottom line unfortunately; the Gauteng Department of Health simply doesn’t have stability of leadership. At the level of the MEC in particular; I mean since I’ve been dean, there’s been about four or five heads of department. And it becomes difficult to follow through with any of these programmes.”

Madhi adds that Wits university executives had worked on the memorandum for seven years. The agreement set out a plan to combine university and government resources in “academic health complexes” for enhanced service delivery. But the Department of Health put it on hold three months later, following a related Public Service Commission inquiry.

He explains: “They convened this big workshop, spending probably a mini fortune, to basically facilitate the establishment of an MOA, not just between Wits and the Department of Health, but between the Department of Health and many other academic hospitals in the province. Because of the intervention, the Department of Health indicated that they weren’t going to implement our MOA until that particular commission concluded their work. But since then, there’s been absolutely no report from that meeting.”

Not afraid to speak out

On social media, Madhi speaks out about atrocities being committed in Gaza.

To Spotlight, he says leadership holds no place for neutrality.

“As part of leadership, and I do consider myself a leader in the different roles that I play – either in my research unit or currently as university dean – you need to be prepared to take a stance. You can’t remain neutral on positions. You need to interrogate facts. And once having interrogated the facts, you need to reach a conclusion; then follow through with what is required, if there’s anything that needs to be implemented.”

Madhi says his leadership style was honed during childhood. “Not being afraid to speak out, it does get me into trouble quite often,” he says, laughing. “I think that’s just part of my upbringing, being an activist during apartheid in the Lenasia Youth League and other activist organisations. My upbringing was, when things are not what it’s meant to be, you speak out; you champion the right cause.”

These days Madhi lives in Northcliff with his wife, with whom he has two children. His favourite football team is Arsenal and a book he says he recently enjoyed was The Covenant of Water – a three generation family account set in India, by physician and author Abraham Verghese.

Republished from Spotlight under a Creative Commons licence.

Read the original article

Categories : General Interest Medical IndustryTags :

Essenwood Residential Home – A Case Study in Elevated Care Through Staffing Partnership

On By ModernMedia

Essenwood Residential Home, a haven for senior women since the 1850s in Durban, South Africa, provides exceptional care for its residents. However, managing the complexities of HR for a growing number of caregivers became a burden, taking away time and resources from core resident care duties. This is where Allmed, a specialist medical personnel solutions provider, stepped in to make a significant difference.

A long history of caring
Founded by the Durban Benevolent Society to provide care for elderly women, it initially resided on Victoria Street and in 1921, the home relocated to its current location on Essenwood Road, a larger and more suitable site. The Greenacre family played a pivotal role in this development, with Walter Greenacre donating the land and a bequest from his father, Sir Benjamin Greenacre, facilitating the construction.

Over the years, Essenwood has continuously evolved to meet the needs of its residents. It acquired autonomy in 1950 and established a dedicated assisted living wing in 1970. Most recently, in 2015, the home underwent extensive renovations to ensure it remained a safe and comfortable haven for its residents. Currently, Essenwood is home to 85 residents, with the capacity to care for 110.

The challenge of HR burdens stifling quality care
Essenwood, like many care facilities, struggled with the time-consuming tasks of HR management. Nursing Services Manager, Colleen Dempers, found herself spending a considerable amount of time on tasks like rostering, replacements for absent staff, and disciplinary issues. This detracted from the home’s primary focus – ensuring the well-being and individual care of residents.

“We found that we were spending so much time on HR issues that it became a huge distraction, Dempers explains. “It detracted us from additional time on HR issues that could be better spent on quality of care. This is what led us to Allmed for a solution.”

Allmed to the rescue with a partnership for success
Building on their established trust with Allmed, a partnership that began in 2016, Essenwood Residential Home made a strategic move to elevate resident care. Allmed was already providing relief support for registered nurses and enrolled nurses, offering a flexible solution for fluctuating staffing needs. The governing board made the tactical decision to entrust Allmed with their entire caregiving staff, ensuring continuity and quality.

“Our core function is resident care,” clarifies Chad Saus, Essenwood Residential Home’s General Manager. “We need to provide individual attention, activities, and a stimulating environment. By outsourcing HR, IR and payroll for 56 caregivers, along with the flexibility of additional resources when needed, Allmed frees us to focus on what truly matters – our residents.”

Streamlining operations for quality care with the Allmed advantage
The partnership with Allmed has yielded multiple benefits for Essenwood:

  • Reduced HR burden: Allmed took over recruitment, payroll, and disciplinary processes for caregivers, freeing up Essenwood’s staff to focus on resident care and quality of service.
  • Enhanced responsiveness: Allmed provided prompt and efficient support, addressing Essenwood’s concerns quickly and professionally. Whether it was staffing issues, training needs, or resident care challenges, Allmed offered round-the-clock support, solutions, and a “can-do” attitude.
  • Improved caregiver fit: Allmed understood Essenwood’s care philosophy and resident needs. The caregivers placed by Allmed at Essenwood integrated seamlessly into the environment, providing the high-quality care residents deserve.
  • Leadership that listens: Essenwood valued Allmed’s commitment to open communication. Any concerns raised by Essenwood were addressed promptly and collaboratively.

The impact: residents feel the difference
The positive ripple effects of the Essenwood-Allmed partnership are evident in the high standard of care received by residents. With a dedicated and well-matched caregiving staff, Essenwood can cater to individual needs and provide a more enriching environment for its residents.

A model partnership for senior care
The Essenwood Residential Home exemplifies the success achievable through a well-structured healthcare staffing partnership. By outsourcing HR and leveraging a qualified care staffing agency, Essenwood has demonstrably improved the quality of care for its residents. This model can serve as an inspiration for senior care facilities seeking to elevate their services and prioritise resident well-being.

Categories : General InterestTags :

Holiday Season Already? Anticipation Might Make Time Seem to Fly

On By ModernMedia

Those excited for Christmas or Ramadan are more likely to feel they come quicker, study shows

Photo by Malvestida on Unsplash

Christmas or Ramadan might seem to come around more quickly each year, for people who pay more attention to time, are more forgetful of plans, and love a good holiday. A research team led by Ruth Ogden of Liverpool John Moores University, UK, and Saad Sabet Alatrany of Imam Ja’afar Al-Sadiq University, Iraq, published these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on July 10, 2024. They suggest this could mean that someone’s experience of time is shaped not only by what they’ve done, but what is left to do.

“Christmas seems to come quicker each year,” is a staple of small talk. But the feeling that a holiday comes around faster could also mean that someone’s sense of time is slightly distorted. To find out how often people sense this phenomenon, and what shapes their perception of time, Ogden and colleagues conducted a survey of more than 1000 people in the United Kingdom and more than 600 people in Iraq. They asked them if they believed Christmas or Ramadan came more quickly each year, and measured their memory function and attention to time as well as asking about age, gender, and social life.

The authors found 76 percent of people in the United Kingdom felt Christmas came quicker every year, and 70 percent of people in Iraq felt the same about Ramadan. For both cases, people were more likely to report this perceived acceleration if they enjoyed the holiday, and also for UK participants, if they reported better social lives. In both Iraq and the UK, people were more likely to feel holidays came earlier if they thought about the passage of time more often, and if they were prone to prospective memory errors – such as forgetting to do a planned task. Perhaps surprisingly, age did not play a role in the perception.

While Ramadan and Christmas are very different holidays, and perceptions of time could certainly be influenced by marketing and other factors, the scientists suggest that our experience of time might be shaped both by our attention to its passage and by our plans for the future.

Provided by PLOS