Conceived by well-known local ENT specialist, Dr Martin Young, and facilitated by retired physician and Rotarian Dr Ian Huskisson, it is described as one of Rotary's most successful and satisfying projects.
During ENT week, young trainees in the field from Groote Schuur Hospital, anaesthetists from the Knysna Provincial Hospital and, at times, the Life Knysna Private Hospital work together to provide invaluable medical service to those in need of specialised treatment, completely free of charge. The latter provide theatre time and auxiliary services whilst the specialists give their time and expertise for one week.
The patients were primarily from disadvantaged communities and the operations assisted in reducing the backlog, which had accumulated over the last 12 months.
Some of the interesting medical aspects of the week was that coblation technology for tonsillectomy, as used by Dr Young in private practice here, was offered for the first time in the provincial sector - usually thought of as 'too expensive' for state medicine, and doctors in state practice are not taught the technique. The ENT visitors were taught with the sponsorship of Smith and Nephew (represented by Jessica Pansergrouw and Bruce Risien).
"Something awesome was the loan of a R4.2 Mio LEICA operating microscope by Tecmed for the week, brought personally by Hedley Isserow! Other medical sponsors were Karl Storz South Africa represented by Charles Dippenaar," explains Peter Klews of Knysna Rotary.
Three years ago during the ENT week in Knysna the use of a new flexible endoscope was used to perform middle ear surgery for the first time in the state sector in South Africa. It is now commonplace in training institutions like Groote Schuur Hospital.
Deirdré Jooste again made her home on Leisure Isle available to accommodate the visitors. On Monday night, November 17 SIROCCO restaurant on Thesen Islands treated them like kings. The evening meal on Wednesday, November 19 was sponsored by the excellent Knysna Hollow establishment. On Thursday evening the Rotary Club of Knysna hosted the ENT team for a braai together with 54 visiting Rotarian golfers from ten countries."
During the day the Knysna Rotary Anns made sure that there was a good supply of warm and cold beverages in the doctors' and sisters' recreational rooms. The Rotary Anns also delivered daily platters with a great variety of food for lunches and teas.
"Thank you to all of you that helped to make the week such a success but most of all to Dr Young and the team for giving so generously of their time and expertise," said Klews on behalf of all involved as well as the patients who received much needed treatment.
The 2014 ENT team were (from left) Jessica Pansergrouw (Smith and Nephew), Dr Eve Samson (ENT trainee surgeon), Dr Martin Young and Bruce Risien (SA bio medical/ Smith and Nephew). Not on the photo are ENT surgeon Dr Gavin Quail and anaesthetists, Dr Caroline Simons and Dr Theresa Samuel.
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