UKZN and King Edward Vlll Hospital Launch Skin Care Clinic

From left: Professor Anisa Mosam, Dr Ncoza
Dlova, the MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo,
Professor Richard Hift and Dr Olaf Baloyi.

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and representatives of UKZN’s Dermatology Department officially launched King Edward Vlll Hospital’s revamped Skin Clinic.

Dermatology HOD, Dr Ncoza Dlova’s vision of refurbishing the skin clinic finally came to fruition after eight months of hard work, raising funds and consulting with various service providers. “I can’t believe we have done it, it’s all about team work” said Dlova showing the guests the outcome of the department’s collective efforts.

One of the main clinic’s sponsors, Dr DK Naidoo, said giving back was the sole priority for everybody who contributed towards the project. ‘I hope the Skin Clinic will continue to provide excellent service for people for many more years to come.’

UKZN‘s Dean: School of Clinical Medicine, Professor Richard Hift, said: ‘We are privileged to work in a great partnership with the Department of Health. For a middle income country, our hospitals look relatively good. In terms of development, South Africa is doing well and progressing excellently. We realise how powerful partnerships can be for the University and the hospital.’

Hift said contributions from the private sector had brought in extra resources and expertise. Staff members from the Clinic along with public and private Dermatologists and various pharmaceutical and other corporate companies contributed towards the Clinic’s refurbishments.

Private and public patients as well as volunteers also assisted in the work.  Dlova singled out the major contributions made by young interior designers; Lerato Tsimo, Vuyo Mbikwana and Sonny Dladla who worked tirelessly and very closely with her, giving of their time as project managers and creative designers from the beginning to the end of the project, without any pay.

She expressed her eternal gratitude for the ongoing support that she received from her colleagues Professor Anisa Mosam and all the Consultants, Registrars, Nurses and supporting staff in the Department of Dermatology, quoting the Department’s motto: “TEAM, together each achieves more.”

The refurbishment began in September 2013 and with little disruption to patient care was completed in April 2014 at a cost of more than R440 000 which was covered by sponsors.

One of the patients interviewed was quoted saying ‘The ambience of the clinic makes me feel much better, even before I get to see the doctor for my skin problem’.

Dhlomo said the Centre was further proof of what public and private enterprise could achieve when working together.  “We are grateful to the sponsors who made this possible and commend Dlova’s  good leadership.”

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman from the Gift of the Givers presented a short talk titled: “Making a Positive Difference”.  He said: ‘With teamwork, passion, dedication and motivation any dream can easily be turned to a reality.’