ENT seminar draws GPs from over Southern Cape

GEORGE NEWS - General practitioners from over the Southern Cape gathered at the Hawthorn Boutique Hotel on Saturday 13 April for an ear, nose and throat (ENT) seminar.

Various speakers covered an array of topics in the ENT field.

Prof. Johan Fagan, world-renowned head and neck surgeon who heads up the University of Cape Town's Otorhinolaryngology Division, was the main speaker on the topic of head and neck cancer surgery.

Fagan is recognised internationally for his contribution to the field of ENT services, espcially in developing nations. He has received various awards, including the Nikhil J Bhatt, MD International Public Service Award, in 2019, from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.

Other topics covered at the seminar included the management of hearing loss and modern hearing aid technology, deafness, the microbiology of ENT, and the importance of the accurate diagnosis of sinusitis.

One of the convenors of the event, Dr Tienie van Niekerk, said the last time such a seminar was hosted was in 2018.

"We felt that it was once again time to create an opportunity for sharing the latest information and advancements in the field of ENT. The event was put together with the support of Pathcare and a number of pharmaceutical companies."

Prof Johan Fagan (left) and the other speakers at the ENT seminar, from left: Jonathan Stokell (clinical audiologist, George), Dr. Gert Wessels (ENT surgeon, Mossel Bay), Dr Sarel van Staden (ENT surgeon, George), Dr Jacobus van Niekerk (ENT specialist, George), Dr Tienie van Niekerk (ENT specialist, George), Dr Engela de Lange (Pathcare) and Dr Delene Brink (Pathcare).

Representatives of various pharmaceutical and medically related companies held an exhibition at the seminar. From left are Sonnika Visser (Pathcare), Shezelle van Heerden (Adcock Ingram), Liezel Snyman (medical receptionist), Anuschka Downham (iNova Pharmaceuticals) and Natalie Melrose (Reitzer).

The team of speakers were, from left: Prof Johan Fagan, Jonathan Stokell (clinical audiologist, George), Dr. Gert Wessels (ENT surgeon, Mossel Bay), Dr Sarel van Staden (ENT surgeon, George), Dr Jacques van Niekerk (clinical epidemiologist, East London), Dr Tienie van Niekerk (ENT specialist, George), Dr Engela de Lange (Pathcare) and Dr Delene Brink (Pathcare). We apologise for the oversight.