The North West province has marked a groundbreaking achievement in healthcare with the successful completion of two Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (Off Pump CABG) at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex this week.
The procedures, the first of their kind in both private and public facilities in the province, were conducted on 11 and 12 November 2024. Specialists from India, Wits University, and the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital collaborated with the hospital’s team to perform the surgeries.
Health MEC Sello Lehari, who visited the patients post-surgery, hailed the milestone as a testament to quality healthcare and innovation in the province. “This confirms the delivery of quality services and changes in people’s lives,” said Lehari.
Well done to the entire team of experts that was part of this life changing surgery, and completing it without hindrances. I implore on them to continue to make a difference in people’s lives in such magnitude strides. We look forward to putting our province on the map with quality healthcare services, and showing members of the public that their lives are in capable hands.
The CEO of the complex, Thulane Madonsela, explained that unlike conventional heart surgeries that stop the heart, this technique allows the operation while the heart continues to pump.
Normally, when an open heart surgery is done, the heart is stopped from pumping blood out. The heart lung machine is used as a temporary heart while the blocked artery is by-passed, however this type of operation is done while the heart is still pumping blood hence it is called an Off Pump Coronary Artery By-pass Graft.
The patients, who are recovering in the Intensive Care Unit, symbolize a major stride in local healthcare delivery, highlighting the province’s readiness to embrace innovative procedures.