In keeping with the private hospital group’s commitment to empowering communities to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives, Busamed Paardevlei gifted four patients life-changing medical procedures through the group-wide UniversalCare@Busamed campaign, which coincided with Mandela Day celebrations.
The Somerset West-based facility leveraged its multidisciplinary teams and innovative medical technology, working alongside staff, support services personnel and allied professionals to deliver specialised care to selected patients, free of charge.
The procedures – a knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, gastroscopy and excision (skin lesion removal) – were performed at the hospital in the Paardevlei Precinct leading up to and on Mandela Day.
Patients were nominated by hospital staff who identified relatives or friends in need, specifically those on state hospital waiting lists or lacking access to essential medical care.
The hospital’s quality advisory board reviewed all submitted cases and approved four of the six nominations. Across the Busamed group the initiative aimed to complete 67 procedures, symbolically aligning with Mandela Day’s tradition of dedicating 67 minutes to community service.
All costs for the initiative were covered through voluntary contributions: medical professionals, including doctors, anaesthetists and associated health workers donating their expertise, while Pharma partners sponsored essential medical consumables. Beyond clinical roles, employees across all departments volunteered for whatever tasks were needed – from making sandwiches and working as porters to handling patient admissions and housekeeping – exemplifying the collaborative community spirit that defines Mandela Day’s mission of accessible health care.
“Volunteering our services for free is one of the simplest ways we can make a real difference in the lives of people in need,” said Tilla Shaakumeni, marketing manager for Busamed Paardevlei, noting that the initiative had generated an infectious spirit of camaraderie, excitement and unity throughout the hospital.
“Moving forward, we definitely aim to expand this initiative, offering these life-changing procedures to the community on a more consistent basis.”
One of the patients whose lives were changed for the better, thanks to the initiative, was Ilze Steyn, who successfully underwent a procedure to remove numerous skin lesions on Friday (18 July).
“I have suffered from extreme skin lesions my whole life, which naturally comes with the fear of melanoma and has really impacted my confidence.
said Steyn.
The procedure, performed by Dr Moodley, has made it possible for my lesions to be mapped, which will ease the fear of melanoma and boost my confidence,”
She further expressed her immense gratitude to all those involved, namely Dr Deslin Moodley, the dedicated Busamed staff and especially her sister-in-law Elmarie van Rooyen for submitting her nomination.
Highlighting the personal impact of Busamed’s community-outreach initiative, Van Rooyen shared the reason for nominating Steyn; she does not have the financial means for private medical care, a family history of melanoma and wanting to ensure she received proper medical attention and care.
Van Rooyen, a dedicated nurse at Busamed Paardevlei, has been with the hospital since its opening day, 1 April 2015.
She described the facility as a second home and took pride in being part of the founding team.
She worked as an all-rounder at the hospital, serving multiple functions including patient reception and care, theatre-floor assistance during operations, administrative support and billing coordination.
Van Rooyen expressed immense pride and satisfaction in being able to help her sister-in-law through this initiative.
“I am very proud of her, and I’m so grateful Busamed can help her,”
Van Rooyen declared.
Moodley emphasised the importance of giving back to the community through medical services and commends the hospital’s efforts in facilitating this community health service.
According to the surgeon, the surgeries performed through this initiative will provide patients with peace of mind, alleviate discomfort and pain, and ultimately enhance their overall quality of life.
Tasneem Abrahams shared being anxious but grateful for the gastroscopy she was scheduled to undergo on Friday. The 39-year-old, who was nominated by her partner, noted battling with long-standing gastrointestinal problems for an extended period.
She saw this medical intervention as a step closer to finding a solution to her chronic gastro-issues, an opportunity finally to get help after struggling for so long and a chance to gain peace of mind about her health condition.
Still awaiting her life-changing procedure is Sandra Herandien, who was nominated by her daughter, a hospital supervisor, for a knee-replacement operation. She had been waiting two years for medical treatment, regularly visiting day hospitals and clinics without success.
Herandien serves as site manager for Ncala, which provides outsourced cleaning services to Busamed Paardevlei. She has been with the company for 18 years, starting in 2007.
Herandien has expressed that she suffers from chronic pain, which causes daily fatigue and exhaustion, sleep disturbances requiring medication, and severe mobility limitations.
“It has been a long, painful and emotional journey. But the Lord has intervened wonderfully.”
She said she has set her hopes on surgery to restore her mobility.
Herandien expressed a deep appreciation to Busamed Paardevlei, describing the hospital as “family” in which everyone looks out for one another and supported one another in times of need.
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