Doctors help the underprivileged

Varushka Padayachi

varushkap@caxton.co.za

Sunninghill Hospital’s cranio-facial surgery programme helps underprivileged children and adults from around South Africa who cannot afford surgery for their cranio-facial conditions.

The programme started two-and-a-half years ago as a solution to the long waiting lists for operations of this nature in state hospitals.

All the doctors involved in the programme are from Sunninghill Hospital and the surgeries are also done there.

Dr Tim Christofedes, who is the plastic surgeon on the programme, said, “We’ve been able to develop a specialised team for the cranio-facial surgeries who are very experienced and the programme is running really well as a result of that.”

He explained that each surgery required the expertise of at least five doctors including a plastic surgeon, neurosurgeon, anaesthetist, maxillofacial surgeon and paediatrician.

Dr Christofedes said that one in 2000 babies are born with cranio-facial abnormalities.

He said, “The causes of cranio-facial conditions are usually genetic but it is also influenced by environmental factors.”

Dr Christofedes explained that cranio-facial abnormalities take various forms from facial clefts to skull growth abnormalities and tumours on the face such as neurofibromatosis.

The programme helps 10 to 15 underprivileged patients a year and Christofedes estimated that the cost of surgery for each patient is R200 000.

All the doctors involved in the programme give their time and expertise free of charge.

Dr Christofedes said, “Netcare assists us with some funds but the rest of our funding for these surgeries needs to come from private sponsors.”

In response to the need for more sponsorship, Dorrette Badria, an employee of Dr Gian Marus, who is the neurosurgeon on the programme, has decided to organise a fundraising event.

The event will be held on 29 November at the Victoria Lake Yacht Club in Germiston.

For more information contact Dorrette Badria.

Details: 082-923-7819