By offering their services, these extraordinary women helped ease backlogs at the Mankweng Tertiary and Academic hospital outside Polokwane where some patients have been on the waiting list for more than a year.

Although some patients expressed their gratitude, they refused to talk to Health-e News citing privacy. However, two young mothers agreed to share their stories about their children who have had to live with hernias for several months.

Kgomotso Segoale, from Ga-Mashashane near Polokwane, is a relieved mom following her son’s surgery.

“My son Lehlogonolo is three years old now. He has been waiting for this operation for over a year and today I feel relieved and happy that he would be operated on,” said the 32-year-old.

Another mom, Ntsako Muhlari from Julisberg in Tzaneen, also couldn’t wait for her 14-month-old son to have his turn under the scalpel.

“I have been going in and out of hospitals and finally it is the D-Day for the operation. I have mixed emotions; I am not familiar with operations and I am nervous for Liam.”

Surgeons reach out to kids 

Pediatric surgeon, Dr Kagiso Batka, said it was very important for her to render high quality health services to the people, especially the children of Limpopo.

“As a female, as a woman, you are the mother of the nation. It is extremely important to celebrate women who are in business, in leadership and in power. We take initiative to change the environment for everybody.”

For surgeon, Dr Morifi Rapudi, it’s all about results.

“I don’t like talking, I prefer to work and produce results. Give me 150 patients and see the results.”

Theater nurse, Sister Regina Mokobodi, and nursing service manager Sister Mahlodi Kgetsi, also participated in the women health care campaign and said they were happy that it was for the benefit of the health of children on Women’s Day which was celebrated on Monday.

Celebrating Charlotte Maxeke

According to Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who led the campaign earlier this week, women in various health and medical fields would volunteer their services at other hospitals in the province.

A day well spend, best women’s day ever. 🙏🏾🙏🏾 to our Anaesthetist Dr Olifant &Dr Kekana.Our Surgeons: Dr Batka, Dr Muthivhi & Dr Mbiza. Nursing services manager Ms Keetsi & all our nurses we manage 2 give fellow women reasons 2 celebrate women’s day we put smiles on their faces pic.twitter.com/fyN2KlTXTR

— Dr Phophi Ramathuba (@PhophiRamathuba) August 10, 2021

“This is part of the August Month celebrations in which the teams agreed to honour Mme Charlotte Maxeke (nee Mannya), the first black female science graduate in South Africa. That is why these teams of women hope to perform 150 different surgical procedures. We are very humbled by their determination,” added Ramathuba. – Health-e News