When Leon Koks completed the Comrades Marathon last year, tears welled in his eyes, marking a poignant moment in his journey. This achievement, remarkable for any athlete, came merely a year after Koks became the inaugural Western Cape recipient of robotic surgery.
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The surgical procedure formed part of Koks’ treatment for colon cancer at Groote Schuur Hospital, implemented under the auspices of the Western Cape Health Department.
Reflecting on the marathon milestone, Koks emotionally expressed, ‘Tears started flowing. It was good to cross that finish line after all I’d been through.’
The substantial investment of R80 million in robotic surgery technology not only holds the promise of considerable savings for the provincial health department but also signifies enhanced post-operative recovery and improved quality of life for patients.
Since the introduction of robotic surgeries in February 2022, over 600 procedures have been successfully conducted at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals. Initially intended for colorectal surgery, the scope of application has broadened to encompass various medical fields, including urology and gynaecology.
Initially, Koks harboured reservations regarding the new technology, but upon thorough explanation, he consented to become the province’s pioneering recipient of robotic surgery.
‘I had mixed feelings because I was going to be the first [robotic surgery], but I knew I was in good hands,’ he recalled.
Remarkably, his recovery progressed swiftly, enabling him to resume training for the ultra-marathon a mere three months later.
Robotic surgeries have exhibited significant benefits for patients. Dr Tim Forgen, one of the surgeons leading the implementation of the robotic system in the Western Cape, elucidated that recipients experience reduced hospital stays, fewer blood transfusions, and diminished reliance on intravenous feeding.
According to Forgen, the equipment represents cutting-edge technology, significantly broadening the horizons of surgical practice.
‘With the new technology, you can save nerves that we had never seen before. Things that are tiny are magnified ten times. People’s quality of life is so much better, because nerves of pretty vital function are preserved so much better,’ he elaborated.
Forgen explained that traditional surgeries, characterised by large incisions, typically entail prolonged recovery periods. However, the use of eight-millimeter incisions in robotic surgery often allows patients to bypass intensive care and recuperate more swiftly.
This translates into substantial savings for the healthcare system, as highlighted by provincial health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo. She emphasised the importance of providing high-quality healthcare regardless of socioeconomic background, stating, ‘Just because you come from a ‘third world’ community doesn’t mean you deserve third world healthcare. This is a first-world intervention.’
Mbombo emphasised the necessity for healthcare innovation to positively impact individuals and strengthen the overall healthcare system. ‘Innovation in healthcare must benefit the people. Innovation should be impactful. It’s about strengthening the whole system and providing the right to access healthcare, including surgical intervention,’ she asserted.
According to News24, the Western Cape health department faces financial challenges, entering the new fiscal year with a shortfall exceeding R800 million to sustain operations at the same level as in the previous year. Despite receiving a budget increase to R30.48 billion, an additional R1.5 billion was deemed necessary to keep pace with the rising cost of living and inflation.
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Picture: Felix Dlangamandla / Gallo Images