Latest news with #NuclearMedicineResearchInfrastructure
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa hails Steve Biko facility as the best in the world
Ramaphosa hails Steve Biko facility as the best in the world President Cyril Ramaphosa was beyond impressed during his visit on June 24 to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital's Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) centre. The R500-million facility was opened in March last year after it took two years to be completed. The centre is part of the Department of Science and Technology's SA research infrastructure roadmap. Rampahosa was accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. The high-level delegation toured key facilities, including the recently refurbished cardio-thoracic ward, the advanced catheterisation laboratory alongside the centre. The visit also included engagements with healthcare professionals and a showcase of ongoing infrastructure upgrades and digital health initiatives. NuMeRI's main purpose is to facilitate research, innovation and value-generation in areas of country and region-specific health challenges. Some of the functions the centre will offer include a clinical unit, radiopharmacy, basic and translational research, preclinical imaging, node of infection imaging, as well as a medical physics and radiobiology unit. Ramaphosa said the Steve Biko facility was the best he had come across throughout his years in public service. 'The diversity I've seen here has been most impressive. One doesn't go to many places, particularly in the private sector and see this type of diversity. You don't often get it, and now I see it here in the public sector. Another factor that impressed me was the number of women in key positions as well,' he said. The president also acknowledged the youth running facilities, saying they are the future of the country, and the centre will help propel them forward. Ramaphosa hailed the facility for being the only centre in the continent with nuclear medical capabilities. He also hailed the security of the facility and the diversity in geography regarding personnel, as well as the cleanliness of the facility. 'I think you have more hospitals than any other province, and you do have good hospitals in Gauteng, and I applaud you, Premier [Panyaza Lesufi] and MEC [Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko], for allocating money to get all these technological applications. I thank you for being foresightful and being addicted to technology, because it drives medical care in this day and age,' he said. Ramaphosa added that the fact that Steve Biko receives so many referrals is why the facility stands as a model for what healthcare should look like going forward with National Health Insurance (NHI). 'I leave this place very impressed. I just saw world-class types of facilities that have been built. Even when one goes around the world, I haven't seen such, and I'm usually impressed by technology most of the time. So when we say we have the best on the continent and possibly in the world, that is what we've seen here,' Ramaphosa said. Lesufi expressed his appreciation for the level of technology the hospital boasts, saying it will turn the healthcare of the province and country around for the better. 'Mr President, we didn't talk about the future, we walked with you to the future. We showed you the best medical equipment that no private hospital has in our province. It's a proud moment indeed. As we reshape the public health system in Gauteng, we are addicted to new technologies. We are addicted to using innovative methods to turn around the public health in Gauteng. We remain the only province with this technology. One hospital at a time, we can build stronger, better healthcare facilities,' Lesufi said. Watch here: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
4 days ago
- Health
- The South African
Steve Biko Academic Hospital lauded as blueprint for future of NHI
Home » Steve Biko Academic Hospital lauded as blueprint for future of NHI President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the Steve Biko Academic Hospital as a blueprint for the future of the National Health Insurance (NHI). Image: MediPlan President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the state-of-the-art Steve Biko Academic Hospital as a model public health facility and a blueprint for the future of the National Health Insurance (NHI). The President described the hospital as a shining example of what quality public healthcare should look like. He said this during his oversight visit to the Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) facility housed at the hospital in Pretoria on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Ministers and Deputy Ministers including the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. He highlighted how the Minister of Health had told him that private hospitals are often referring patients to this public hospital. 'It shows that this public hospital is a model for all the good things, and this is the future of what the National Health Insurance (NHI) is all about, because they would not be coming here if Steve Biko Academic hospital was not as good as it is. 'I leave this place very impressed. When I went to some of the areas, I just saw [a] world-class type of facility that has been built, and even as one goes around the world, I don't remember seeing many of such, and I'm usually impressed by technology most of the time. And when we say that we have the best on the continent and possibly in the world, this is what we have seen here,' the President said. The Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) facility is the only one of its kind on the continent, dedicated to cancer and TB drug development, advanced imaging, and clinical research. It reflects a successful collaboration between the Department of Health, Department of Science and Innovation, the University of Pretoria, and private sector through the hospital's departments, including the cardiac catheterisation laboratory and radiology units, President Ramaphosa commended the level of professionalism and excellence. He praised the diversity and competence of the staff, from cleaners to researchers as well as the facility's cutting-edge equipment and cleanliness. 'I have seen the future of the NHI. It is here. And more importantly, as I've been going around talking to the doctors, scientists, and nurses, they are the ones saying to me: 'we are ready for NHI.' Those campaigning against it need to come here and see how it's going to work,' the President said. He also took time to applaud the high representation of women and young professionals in senior and technical roles at the hospital, calling it a powerful example of inclusivity and transformation in action. 'Women run this facility. They are researchers, professors, doctors, and nurses – delivering top-class healthcare. And I saw so many young people here; the future of our country,' the President said. The President also singled out Professor Mike Sathekge, who heads the Nuclear Medicine Unit, for his outstanding leadership and global recognition. 'Let's give Professor Sathekge a round of applause for being recognised globally as well. It isn't often that you meet a guy who is black, who is from Limpopo, who is recognised in the way that he is,' the President said. He expressed admiration for the hospital's homegrown innovation, highlighting the cardiology department, which has developed sophisticated medical equipment showcasing South Africa's engineering and scientific capabilities. He also lavished praise on Professor Andrew Sarkin who is an academic and clinical head at University of Pretoria and the hospital. 'The diversity of the talent that we have from various parts of our country makes this facility, this hospital, what it is. 'I also applaud Professor Sarkin and his staff for the excellent work that they do. In here resides the talent, the engineering knowledge, and capability to be able to produce some of the best technologies that the medical world has ever seen. I really applaud the cardiology department,' he said. The President further praised the hospital's cleanliness and organisation, crediting management and support staff for upholding high called for the Steve Biko Academic Hospital model to be replicated across the country. 'This is how a hospital should be run. This is how a hospital should be managed. And this is what the NHI must look like,' he said. The President's visit to Steve Biko Academic Hospital served not only to showcase a leading healthcare institution, but also to reaffirm government's commitment to building a future where all South Africans have access to high-quality public healthcare. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
