Tag: Wits University

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New Liver Perfusion Technology Marks a Breakthrough for Transplant Care in South Africa at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre

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L-R – Dr Bilal Bobat, Professor Jerome Loveland, Dr Sharan Rambarran and Dr Dinen Parbhoo, the transplant team at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre alongside the liver perfusion machine, the first of its kind to be implemented on the African continent.

Johannesburg, 12 June 2026: For a patient waiting for a liver transplant in South Africa, the hardest part is not the surgery. It is the wait and the knowledge that an organ may never come. In a country facing severe organ shortages, every decision to accept or decline a donor liver carries immense weight and every viable organ that goes unused represents a lost opportunity to save a life.

At the centre of changing this reality is the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC), home to one of the leading liver transplant programmes in Africa and a unit internationally recognised for its contribution to specialised transplant care, research and surgical training. Having performed over 1 000 liver transplants, the programme represents decades of expertise, innovation and collaboration.

Now, WDGMC, in partnership with Surgeons for Little Lives and with support from key corporate sponsor Weelee, has introduced a state-of-the-art liver perfusion machine, becoming the first transplant centre on the African continent to implement this technology for liver transplantation.

This technology keeps donor livers viable outside the body while clinicians assess, monitor and actively improve the condition of the organ before transplantation. By allowing transplant teams to better maintain organ viability, the machine has the potential to increase organ utilisation, reduce complications and improve transplant outcomes for patients who may otherwise not survive the wait.

“As a transplant programme, our responsibility extends far beyond the operating theatre,” says Professor Jerome Loveland, Head of Solid Organ Transplantation at WDGMC. “This technology will help us better assess donor organs and increase the number of livers that can safely be transplanted, whilst simultaneously improving results. In a country where every donor organ matters, this will have a significant impact on organ utility and patient outcomes.”

South Africa’s transplant programmes continue to achieve strong outcomes despite operating within a severely resource-constrained environment and against the backdrop of ongoing organ shortages. As a result, transplant teams are often required to make difficult decisions under significant pressure.

“This technology changes the level of information we have available before transplantation. Traditionally, organs are preserved on ice and assessment is limited. Machine perfusion allows us to monitor how the liver is functioning outside the body. Beyond the valuable information it provides, the machine has the ability to resuscitate the liver by delivering oxygen to the liver cells, creating the best metabolic environment outside the body. This helps us make more informed clinical decisions and potentially increases the number of organs that can safely be transplanted,” says Dr Sharan Rambarran, Transplant Surgeon at WDGMC.

The introduction of the machine is also expected to contribute to reduced post-operative complications, shorter hospital stays and improved recovery outcomes.

“Too many patients in South Africa deteriorate while waiting for a transplant because there are simply not enough donor organs available,” says Dr Bilal Bobat, Transplant Hepatologist at WDGMC. “Anything that helps us safely expand organ utilisation has the potential to directly impact survival and quality of life for patients and families facing end-stage liver disease.”

“Weelee is always looking for opportunities to contribute to causes that create real and lasting impact,” says Errol Levin, CEO of Weelee. “Supporting advancements in liver perfusion technology aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation that improves lives. This ground-breaking initiative has the potential to save countless lives and we are proud to be associated with a project of such significance.”

WDGMC plays a unique role within South Africa’s healthcare system. As a private academic hospital affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand, the Centre combines highly specialised clinical care with academic medicine and collaboration across both the private and public healthcare sectors.

While the technology represents an important advancement in liver transplantation, clinicians stress that increasing organ donation awareness remains critical to improving access to life saving transplants in South Africa.

For the transplant teams, this marks not only a clinical advancement but the beginning of a broader effort to continue strengthening transplant medicine in South Africa.

Categories : PaediatricsTags :

New Study Finds Many Neonatal Deaths in SA Are Preventable

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New post-portem study reveals over 80% of infection-related neonatal deaths in South Africa are preventable.

Photo by William Fortunato on Pexels

A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal has identified that the vast majority of neonatal (newborn infant in the first 28 days of life) deaths caused by infections in South Africa and other low-and-middle-income countries could be prevented through improved clinical care and targeted medical interventions. The research, conducted by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network, utilised innovative post-mortem techniques that enables accurate identification of causes of death in low-resource settings. To provide the most granular look to date at what is killing newborns in these regions, more than 2600 neonatal deaths were analysed using minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS).

The study, titled “Post-mortem characterisation of pathogen-specific causes of infection-related deaths in African and south Asian neonates: a prospective, observational, multicentre study which included a major surveillance site in Soweto, South Africa”, has revealed that infections are involved in 44% of neonatal deaths across multiple sites in Africa and South Asia, underscoring an urgent need to strengthen infection prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Crucially, an expert panel determined that over 80% of these infection-related deaths were preventable under current or improved facility-based conditions.

Key Findings for South Africa:

  • Dominant Hospital Pathogens: In South Africa, Acinetobacter baumannii was the overwhelming driver of hospital-acquired infections, contributing to 74.3% of presumed hospital-acquired neonatal deaths.
  • Community-Acquired Threats: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) was identified as the leading cause of community-acquired neonatal deaths in South Africa, accounting for 30.6% of such cases, followed by Escherichia coli at 24.7%.
  • Emerging Fungal Risks: South Africa was the only site to report specific life-threatening fungal infections, including Candidozyma auris and Nakaseomyces glabratus, in the causal pathway to death.
  • Preventability: The modifiable factors identified to reduce these deaths include improvements in infection prevention and control (50.8%), clinical care (50.7%), and antenatal and obstetric care (42.2%).

The findings reveal that current empirical antibiotic treatments may be insufficient, particularly in high-burden settings where antimicrobial resistance is rising. The study also shows that infections often occur alongside other conditions such as prematurity and birth complications, indicating that neonatal deaths are driven by multiple, interconnected factors.

 “These findings indicate an urgent need to review empirical antibiotic treatment for neonatal infections,” said Prof Shabir A. Madhi, Director of the South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research (Wits VIDA) Unit and lead author of the study. “The high prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens like K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii suggests our current standard protocols may no longer be sufficient. Alarmingly, some of these bacteria are resistant to all classes of antibiotics currently available.”

Nearly half of all deaths in children under five occur in the neonatal period, with the highest burden in Africa and South Asia. Importantly, local data further underscores the urgency of action. Within the Soweto and Thembelihle surveillance population, the neonatal mortality rate is estimated at 16.0 deaths per 1000 live births, significantly higher than both South Africa’s national estimate of 10 per 1000 and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 target of 12 per 1000 live births.

These findings highlight persistent inequalities in maternal and child health outcomes, even within urban settings, and reinforce the need for targeted, evidence-based interventions.

The MITS technique used at Wits VIDA uses needle biopsies rather than full autopsies to collect biological specimens. This method proved far more effective than traditional antemortem diagnostics, which failed to identify a pathogen in up to 73% of suspected sepsis cases in South Africa.

The study provides one of the most comprehensive, pathogen-specific analyses of neonatal deaths to date and ultimately, the study highlights a powerful opportunity. That most infection-related neonatal deaths are preventable. The CHAMPS consortium concludes that prioritising new maternal vaccines and strengthening hospital infection control are essential steps to reducing the high burden of neonatal mortality.

CHAMPS South Africa consistently shares its granular research findings with the National Department of Health (NDoH) through various channels to ensure this detailed evidence assists in developing targeted strategies to prevent neonatal infections. These data, which provide a precise look at the pathogens responsible for mortality, are intended to help the NDoH refine empirical antibiotic protocols and strengthen hospital infection control measures. Beyond policy-level engagement, CHAMPS collaborates with local communities to raise awareness regarding prevention strategies, specifically emphasizing the importance of early antenatal care booking and consistent attendance. By focusing on these modifiable factors, the initiative seeks to improve obstetric care and reduce the number of babies born “too soon or too small,” addressing the preterm birth complications that frequently underlie neonatal deaths.

 About CHAMPS: The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network is a global collaboration funded by The Gates Foundation. It aims to provide accurate data on the causes of childhood death to inform policy and save lives in high-mortality regions.

Link to the study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal.

Source: Wits University

Categories : ExerciseTags :

No Need to Sign up for Gym: Even Small Movements Have Health Benefits – Research

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Merling Phaswana, University of the Witwatersrand and Philippe Gradidge, University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa is facing an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases and related mortality. According to Statistics South Africa, deaths due to non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension increased by over 58% between 1997 and 2018.

The crisis of overweight and obesity in the country adds to the risk of these diseases. Nearly 40% of the adult population is overweight. Although physical activity can help prevent and manage many non-communicable diseases, 47% of adults do not engage in any physical activity. Most people struggle to meet the World Health Organization’s recommended 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.

A significant part of the challenge is that people have adopted an “all or nothing” approach to physical activity. The perception is that one has to participate in structured workouts, such as gym sessions, running, or cycling.

Instead, research has shown that even brief, low-intensity movements can yield measurable physical and mental health benefits. Even everyday tasks count. New evidence shows that short movement bouts of less than five minutes can have positive health implications.

As researchers in exercise science and sports medicine we have observed that physical activity is particularly low in South Africa. Only 19.8% of adults meet the WHO’s guideline, against the global average of 73%.

Our study of 62 office-based workers at the University of the Witwatersrand also showed the short-term health impact of height-adjustable, sit-to-stand desks. Our intervention reduced prolonged sitting and slightly improved indicators such as body mass index and blood pressure. Given South Africa’s high burden of obesity and sedentary lifestyles among office workers, these improvements are encouraging and support global health messaging that even modest increases in daily movement can positively influence health.

These findings were the springboard for the “Mzansi, what’s your move?” campaign at the university. We want to encourage staff and students to move more by showing how simple actions add up to physical activity. The campaign is supported by a series of comics and murals on campuses.

Here, we highlight some of the actions that we used in our campaign to encourage everyone to get moving. These are daily tasks that may seem mundane but count as physical activity, while reflecting people’s realities.

Housework

Many people do not consider housework a form of physical activity. But tasks like sweeping, mopping or vacuuming require sustained movement and engage multiple muscle groups.

Scrubbing floors, washing windows and cleaning bathrooms involve movements such as squatting and stretching. Working in the garden can strengthen muscles too.

As part of our campaign, we’ve developed comic strips that highlight movements that can be done at home and in the community. We emphasise how all family members can move in ways that fit their lifestyles and physical abilities.

Active commuting

Walking or cycling to work or school contribute significantly to daily physical activity. Studies have shown that active commuting is associated with lower body fat, reduced blood pressure, and improved mental well-being.

Including movement into daily travel routines is a practical way to accumulate physical activity without setting time aside. Walking briskly to a train station, cycling a few kilometres to work, or taking a longer walking route to drop off children at school accumulates over time. Even seemingly small changes, such as getting off the bus one stop early or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, produce measurable health benefits over weeks and months.

However, achieving the full benefits of active commuting is complex and it relies on cities building and maintaining road infrastructure. In South Africa, safety is a legitimate concern for all road users. A 2024 Statistics South Africa report shows that more pedestrians than car occupants died in road crashes in 2007, 2013, and 2019. Another safety concern relates to the country’s high crime rates. People may be reluctant to walk, even in their own neighbourhoods.

These challenges are not insurmountable. For starters, people should consider people moving in groups, joining walking and running clubs.

Beyond what individuals can do, municipalities can do something about green spaces. This includes ensuring that parks are safe to walk in and are clean. Broken pavements and bicycle lanes need to be maintained in all neighbourhoods.

Incidental movements

Incidental movements refer to small bouts of activity that occur throughout the day. Integrating these movements into everyday life can yield significant health benefits, especially in office contexts, where many people sit for extended periods. Employers can try nudging staff, for example to use the stairs instead of elevators, with simple posters or painted footprints. Another way to encourage physical activity is to centralise shared equipment (printers, bins, water stations) so that staff walk short distances.

Micro-breaks also provide opportunities for informal movements. Stretching during meetings or after long sitting periods, standing discussions instead of seated ones, and walking meetings for small groups all contribute to the physical activity of employees.

In 2024, we investigated the short-term impact of physical activity interventions such as high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on 43 labourers at the University of the Witwatersrand. The number of participants in this study was small, but the findings show that our intervention reduced indicators such as waist circumference, body mass index, blood glucose and blood pressure, and improved physical fitness.

Way forward

People don’t need a gym membership or a strict workout schedule to get moving. Simple, everyday activities all add up to meaningful physical activity. Small movements help to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, strengthen muscles, boost mental wellbeing, and counteract the harmful effects of prolonged sitting.

These “movement snacks” make exercise accessible, manageable and sustainable, particularly for people who find structured workouts intimidating or time-consuming.

Merling Phaswana, Senior Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand and Philippe Gradidge, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Categories : Mental HealthTags :

New Study Highlights How to Improve Mental Health Integration in SA Primary Healthcare

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As we commemorate Mental Illness Awareness Month and Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month, a staggering 92% of South Africans living with mental health conditions are not receiving the treatment they need. Yet, research continues to show that collaborative care—where mental health and primary care providers work together—can significantly improve patient outcomes, service satisfaction, and overall quality of life. People with serious mental illness (SMI) are particularly vulnerable as SMI is associated with marked functional impairment and high levels of stigma. SMIs typically include psychotic disorders, bipolar and related disorders, major depression, and severe anxiety and stress-related disorders.

A new study published in Cambridge Prisms’ Global Mental Health explores how integrating community psychiatric services into primary health care (PHC) clinics improves access for individuals with SMI in South Africa. However, the study also reveals persistent challenges related to limited resources, weak management systems, and fragmented collaboration between health care providers as key setbacks.

Conducted in the Sedibeng District, the research forms part of a broader study series focused on patients’ experiences. It is modelled on global evidence to assess the impact of community-based collaborative care—a model increasingly adopted worldwide to strengthen mental health delivery in PHC settings.

Why Integrated Mental Health Care?

Also known as Integrated Care, this health care model plays a vital role in improving access to mental health services by bringing care closer to communities. It relies on bringing together PHC providers such as physicians, nurses and mental health providers to deliver coordinated, person-centred care.  

Integrated care is believed to yield better health outcomes for individuals living with SMIs, who often have comorbid physical health conditions. Saira Abdulla, the lead researcher in the study and Wits PhD fellow based at Centre for Health Policy says the paper highlights key shortfalls in how collaborative care is implemented in this district. This includes poor communication, unclear roles within multidisciplinary teams, and the absence of case managers to coordinate care, with providers instead coordinating care in an ad-hoc manner.

Infrastructure and Staffing Challenges in Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care in Sedibeng

In the Sedibeng District, community-based psychiatry services have been integrated into select primary healthcare (PHC) clinics through two operational models: co-located and physically integrated services. In co-located settings, psychiatric teams operate from separate spaces adjacent to PHC clinics and use independent systems for clinical records. By contrast, physically integrated services are delivered within the same spaces as PHC clinics, using shared management structures and record-keeping systems.

However, a recent study reveals that PHC facilities in the district are not adequately designed to support the specific requirements of psychiatric care. The lack of private, secure consultation spaces compromises confidentiality, as mental health consultations often take place in shared rooms used by multiple healthcare providers.

Physically integrated clinics were found to be particularly constrained, with concerns ranging from overcrowded waiting areas—often without seating—to general safety risks. These conditions compromise the therapeutic environment essential for effective mental health care and highlight the broader systemic challenges of integrating psychiatric services meaningfully within the PHC framework.

The study also underscores a critical shortage of human resources. Most clinics have only five psychiatric nurses on site, while two to four doctors rotate between clinics, offering adult psychiatric consultations just once a week. With monthly patient volumes ranging from 580 to 910, the current staffing levels severely limit the ability to deliver consistent, high-quality care.

Key findings

·        Integration does not guarantee collaboration

While all the elements of full collaboration were not achieved in either setting, the physically integrated setting provided a better opportunity for communication among staff (due to shared files, physical proximity and good management with mental health interest and experience) However, these advantages were still hindered by poor infrastructure and inadequate resources.

·        Integration Models Matter

The study found that physically integrated clinics (shared space and records) had better communication and collaboration between mental health and PHC providers. Co-located clinics (separate buildings and records) suffered from poor communication and siloed teams.

·        Resource and Infrastructure Constraints

Both clinics faced inadequate space, supplies, and staff, although the physically integrated clinic was the most under-resourced. In both settings, insufficient resources were further exacerbated by high caseloads.

·        Leadership is Critical for Collaboration

The study highlighted the importance of management in fostering teamwork. Stronger leadership qualities were evident in the physically integrated clinic, which led to reduced staff conflict and improved communication. In contrast, the co-located clinic was impacted by poor management and a lack of managerial oversight, leading to conflict among staff members. The failure to appoint a permanent Chief Director at the district level has also led to a lack of strategy, and frustration among clinic staff.

·        Resistance from PHC Doctors to Manage Mental Health

PHC physicians and doctors are often reluctant to manage stable psychiatric patients, leading to unnecessary referrals. Some providers did not feel equipped to provide quality care and others felt that collaborating with community psychiatry staff would increase their workload.

As low and middle-income countries move towards integrating mental health into PHC, this paper highlights that the type of integration approach needs to be functional at all levels to enhance the health outcomes of the most vulnerable.

Provided by University of the Witwatersrand

Categories : CancerTags :

South African Study Identifies Two New Breast Cancer Genes in Black Women

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Genetic factors contribute to some 30% of breast cancer cases in SA, necessitating investment in genomic research in African contexts.

Photo by National Cancer Institute

A seminal genetic study published in Nature Communications has discovered two genetic variants linked to breast cancer in black South African women, deepening knowledge about the genetic basis for this disease in African populations.

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) of breast cancer is the first to have been done in African women living on the continent.

A GWAS is a powerful research method that scans the entire DNA of many people to find genetic differences associated with a specific disease or trait.

In this case, the scientists at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) scanned for breast cancer and found consistent genetic patterns in black South African women.

The SBIMB researchers discovered genetic signals around the gene RAB27A, a member of the RAS oncogene family, and USP22, a gene which is highly active in breast cancer cells and associated with a poor health prognosis.

“These genes have not been associated with the disease before, which is an important advance in understanding breast cancer risk and biology in women of African ancestry,” says Dr Mahtaab Hayat, the lead author of the study.

The two new genetic variants were identified in black South African women with breast cancer enrolled in the Johannesburg Cancer Study, compared to women without cancer in the Africa Wits-INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic Research (AWI-Gen) study.

Until now, most breast cancer genetics research has focused on European and Asian populations, with studies of African ancestry limited primarily to African- American women, who largely descend from West African populations.

A tool that estimates lifetime cancer risk based on DNA, the polygenic risk score (PRS), performed poorly in distinguishing South African women with breast cancer from those without.

“This is because most PRSs were developed in European populations, and their inaccuracy in African populations highlights the urgent need for ancestry-specific tools in cancer risk prediction,” says Dr Jean-Tristan Brandenburg, also in the SBIMB and a lead author.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in South Africa and the most common cancer in women globally, with genetic factors contributing to about 30% of cases. “Our study makes a compelling case for investing in genomic research rooted in African contexts,” notes Hayat.

The potential for precision medicine

If further studies confirm these findings, the USP22 and RAB27A genes could be specific targets for new drugs. “We could potentially target harmful cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, which is ideally what we want when administering cancer treatment,” says Distinguished Professor at the SBIMB, Chris Mathew, and a lead project investigator.

Furthermore, if a specific gene is associated with poorer survival, it can be used as a biomarker to identify more aggressive cancers and help predict which patients may need more intensive treatment and monitoring.

Understanding the genetic architecture of complex diseases helps scientists figure out the biological processes leading to these conditions and find drug targets and treatments for groups of individuals with similar disease risk profiles.

Genomic diversity in Africa is unparalleled

African populations have more genetic variation than any other population in the world, but they have been significantly underrepresented in genomic research. This means that the global understanding of disease risk, and the tools and treatment developed from it, is limited.

“The study reveals that more people can benefit from genetic discoveries. It proves that new risk factors are still out there, waiting to be found,” says Hayat.

Source: University of the Witwatersrand

Categories : General InterestTags :

MMBCh Tops Applications as Wits University Welcomes First-year Students for 2025

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Among the 85 000 undergraduate applications for 2025 Wits received for 2025, the single most-applied for degree was for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh). Of these applications, the university could only register around 6000 first-year students. These students represent the best of the best, earning their place in one of Africa’s most competitive academic environments, with an average of over five distinctions per student in their matric results.

From KZN, Glenwood High School’s Brydyn Le’Jean Barnabas, who was offered a place to study MBBCh, says, “I’ve been hearing from friends and family that this is such a prestigious university. It’s not only backed by impressive statistics but also has a rich culture and heritage, having been around for decades. Compared to other universities, it’s truly a privilege to be here. When I received my acceptance letter, my heart dropped – not just with joy but with  gratitude for this opportunity.”

Bachelor of Pharmacy was also a popular degree, coming in at the fifth most applied-for.

Recent enrolment trend assessments indicate that the majority of students offered a place at Wits have achieved an Admission Point Score (APS) exceeding 30, with most scoring 34 or higher. The minimum APS required for degree programmes at Wits is 30, making entry into the university a significant accomplishment.

Wits continues to uphold its reputation as a hub for academic excellence and innovation, attracting top-performing students from across the country and the continent. The university remains committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.

For more information about the experiences of first-year students and why they chose Wits, read more here: Wits News.

Categories : Hospitals PaediatricsTags :

Refurbished School for Paediatric Patients Bridges Critical Learning Gaps

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April 16 2024 – The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital School officially opened in its new location today, marking a key milestone in the partnership between Wits University and the academic hospital. The school caters for all learners in need of longer-term and chronic treatment for various paediatric conditions. Learners between Grades R and 12 are taught.  

“Sick children have multiple needs, and it’s our duty to ensure that they don’t miss out on any schooling. Everyone deserves the right to be educated and to contribute meaningfully to their communities as adults,” said Professor Shabir Madhi, Dean of the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences. 

Professor Madhi noted that the previous school building will be used as a campus for medical students and to grow the university’s teaching and learning footprint at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.  

The school district representative for Johannesburg Central, Ronica Ramdath, said that often sick children forfeit their education, which can be mitigated through the correct teaching approach and through supportive facilities. “When I first came to the school some years back, I was amazed at the teachers’ dedication. I remember seeing a teacher load all their educational resources in a bag and walk to the paediatric ward to teach sick children. Today, these children all benefit from such support,” she said.  

The Wits Faculty of Health Sciences heads of schools were present, together with hospital and teaching representatives.  

Meanwhile, Professor Madhi said that the university’s wifi is available at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, underpinning Wits’ commitment to invest in a world-class academic hospital facility. “We are very proud of our footprint at the hospital and hope to continue to add value through research and clinical work,” he said. 

Source: University of the Witwatersrand – Faculty of Health Sciences

Categories : COVID General InterestTags :

World-renowned Vaccinologist Shabir Madhi Awarded CBE

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Professor Shabir Madhi has been appointed as an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by King Charles III.

Wits Professor of  Vaccinology Shabir Madhi led the Oxford University sponsored Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine clinical trials in South Africa

Wits University and the University of Oxford contributed scientifically to informing the public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa and globally.

Madhi receives the Order in recognition of his services to science and public health in a global pandemic.

Madhi led South Africa and the continent’s first Covid-19 vaccine trials in 2020/2021 as founder and Director of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Wits Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics (Wits VIDA) Research Unit.

An internationally recognised leader in his field, the National Research Foundation A-rated scientist was involved in multiple clinical and serology epidemiology studies on Covid-19, in addition to his research on vaccines against other life-threatening diseases.

The first of (subsequently two) Wits University-led South African Covid-19 vaccine trials, Madhi led the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine clinical trials in South Africa, in association with the University of Oxford.

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, and Madhi’s UK counterpart in these Covid-19 vaccine trials, says of Madhi’s CBE appointment: “I am delighted that Professor Shabir Madhi CBE has been honoured by King Charles for his remarkable contributions to global public health and particularly for his extraordinary leadership in the midst of a global pandemic. It has been a huge privilege for me to work alongside him and his team on the development of the globally impactful Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.”

Over the course of the pandemic (2020-2022), Madhi had been an outspoken, articulate, and ardent advocate of Covid-19 vaccination as well as for increased access to these and other vaccines in Africa.

On his appointment as CBE, Madhi says: “The privilege of being conferred this honour is credit to the tremendous effort of the incredible Wits VIDA research team that I have the privilege of leading at Wits University – before, during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. As a collective, and together with colleagues at the University of Oxford and in South Africa, we are proud to have contributed scientifically to informing the public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa and globally.”

Source: Wits University

Categories : HospitalsTags :

Wits Opens Advanced Surgical Skills Lab

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To help address the critical shortage of expert medical specialists in the country, including surgeons, Wits University opened the Wits Advanced Surgical Skills Lab. It has been estimated that the country needs double the number of surgeons to meet its needs, a situation worsened by losing many surgical experts to the competitive overseas market due to the lack of sufficient highly specialised facilities, infrastructure, and advanced academic training programmes.

“Wits trains more doctors, surgeons, specialists and sub-specialists than any other university in southern Africa. The new R22-million Wits Advanced Surgical Skills Lab will help to enhance the training of surgeons, across disciplines, in a state-of-the-art environment, with the best equipment available,” said Professor Damon Bizos, Head of Wits Surgical Gastroenterology, and the Clinical Head of Surgery at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre. “We need to replenish these specialised skills and replicate them in adequate measure in order to deliver essential services to South Africans and Africans.”

Located on the ninth floor of the Faculty of Health Sciences building in Parktown, the Wits Advanced Surgical Skills Lab officially opened on Tuesday, 12 October 2021. The state-of-the-art facility is designed in line with international best standards. along with teaching facilities that make the Wits surgical training programme one of the best in the world.

“If we fail to replenish the pool of surgeons in South Africa, both the training of all South African doctors and the delivery of healthcare for all will be compromised. The loss of these skills will result in the loss of services in both the private and public sectors,” said Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal. “South Africa needs to retain highly skilled and specialised surgeons. By creating opportunities for doctors to undergo highly specialised training locally, rather than abroad, the likelihood of losing these doctors to other countries is lessened.”

The Wits Advanced Surgical Skills Lab will be able to provide the interdisciplinary training needs of surgical disciplines including general surgery; orthopaedics; gynaecology; ear, nose and throat; cardiothoracic; urology; maxillofacial; ophthalmologic; neuro; and plastic surgery. It will also include the training of specialists, doctors, nurses and other allied health practitioners.

“The basic and intermediate courses will help inculcate basic surgical competence and skills development, whilst advanced courses will ensure that experienced practitioners remain at the forefront of advances in the field,” added Prof Bizos. “We will offer access to in-house training as well as industry-sponsored surgical training courses and symposia. Train-the-trainer programmes and research into skills training will also be integral.”

The Wits Advanced Surgical Skills Laboratory boasts a large ‘wet lab’ with eight stations; laparoscopic towers and endoscopy (upper endoscopy and colonoscopy); has facilities available for training on cadavers; lead-lined walls to accommodate imaging; a new lecture room for 35 participants; and full audiovisual and videoconferencing facilities.

“Access to safe, high-quality surgery care remains an ongoing challenge in South Africa and beyond. There is a well-defined unmet need, and the training of surgeons and surgical care providers is an essential component of the strategy to improve surgical care and address the unmet need. Modern day approaches to training require that we must address both the technical competency and non-technical skills of the surgeon. This must be achieved in a standardised and measurable way. To do so has meant that we, as the trainers of the next generation of practitioners, must embrace new technologies and training opportunities,” said Professor Martin Smith, the Head of the Department of Surgery in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits University. “We are very grateful that through the support of the University and the contributions of a number of donors we have been able to establish a facility to enhance and improve this training.”

Source: Wits University