“The last thing you need is to have an accusation of rape against you for putting a speculum in.”
This was according to Dr Liz Meyer, Medical Protection Society (MPS) consultant, in her lecture titled Medical Legal Issues Relating To Surgery, organized by the Wits Students’ Surgical Society.
Meyer said sexual assault and substance abuse were the main reasons why medical students were dismissed from the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
“You don’t get erased very easily, but if you do, it’s also very difficult to get back.”
Some records taken from doctors' notes in Mpumalanga hospitals.
Doctors don’t always know best
Meyer said the mindset in the medical profession has changed over time to pay more attention to patients’ rights, autonomy and expectations.
Doctors have faced court charges in the past for not tailor-making consent specifically to patients. She said patients must be made to understand the “material risk” of the procedures they may face.
“If you are considering an amputation, a ballet dancer is going to feel different about what is relevant to her in consent, than to a person that is already bound in a wheelchair.”
Etienne Raffner, 5th year medical student and co-founder of the surgical students’ society, said students were taught about consent before anything else in their degree.
"No, no no, nurse! I said slip off his spectacles!"
Communication is key
Meyer said registration with the HPCSA is a responsibility to conform to its ethical code, and doctors must not be afraid to name and shame negligent colleagues.
“If there’s somebody whose actions and work causes you concern, you must do something about it or otherwise, you are going to have problems.”
Meyer said it is important for doctors to share information clearly, especially where there is a language or experience gap. Clinical notes could be used in court, and it can be “very embarrassing” if not written properly according to Meyer.
Medical indemnity is big business
The MPS, which provides legal support to its members and compensates harmed patients, paid out R800m in claims last year.
Membership fees range from R100 a year for interns, to R220 000 a year for gynecologists, because they are considered “high risk”.
Prof Martin Veller, head of the Wits department of surgery, said it was “silly” for students to go into the profession without indemnity, regardless of the cost. Veller said he pays R80 000 a year on medical indemnity insurance.
Staff unions at Wits have declared a dispute with management after negotiations faltered last week.
Unions and management have been in negotiations since management announced inflation-linked salary increases last month.
Management announced a 7.25% increase across the board for academic staff (Grades 5-9), a 6.5% increase for support staff (Grades 5-17) and a 6.5% “adjustment to Campus Control allowances”.
Prof Patrick FitzGerald, deputy vice chancellor of finance and operations, said the negotiations were intended to reach a settlement but some unions took positions which made it “very difficult”.
Adele Underhay, president of the Administration, Library and Technical Staff Association (ALTSA), said unions rejected the offer based on their members’ mandate.
“I think we all realise that it doesn’t help that we push management and they can’t afford to give us an increase,” said Underhay.
Underhay said although the increases are in line with the inflation rate, predictions for inflation are much higher and staff, especially in the lower grades, complained about the increasing cost of living.
“What could happen in regard to the inflation rate in the future is obviously out of our hands,” said Fitzgerald.
Industrial action as last resort
The unions will approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and appear before a commissioner who will hear both sides and could grant them a certificate for industrial action.
“It’s bad for everyone but if that’s what it’s going to take, our members have said that that’s what they’ll do,” said Underhay.
The unions proposed that non-union members should not receive any further increase that is negotiated as they would benefit unfairly.
Together, the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) and ALTSA represent 48% of around 2300 support staff. The Academic Staff Association of Wits University (ASAWU) represents at least 50% of staff.
Last year, management rejected ASAWU’s proposed salary increase, which would have cost the university around R60m to implement.
Published in Wits Vuvuzela 14th edition, 18th May 2012
Wits has invested substantively in technologies that make its core functions of the generation, custodianship and transmission of knowledge easier. But how far has it come?
The first computer owned by a South African university occupied a large part of the first floor of Senate House and had the same processing capacity as a cellphone.
Today, more than 80% of Witsies have access to mobile computing devices according to Professor Yunus Ballim, deputy vice chancellor of knowledge and information management. Last year, the Wits senate resolved that all students from 2nd year upwards will own a mobile computing device.
The Student Computers and Networks initiative will facilitate this plan. Ballim said it was “unacceptable” that poor students were left out and the university plans to engage the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to invest in devices that may offset the cost of textbooks and lecture notes.
Ballim said Wits provides “fairly free” internet access for staff and students, but the Parktown campuses do not have this yet. A R16-million project is under way to instal a fiber cable that will improve the quality of access on the Parktown campuses.
“I think the reality is that the modern university from a research point of view cannot do without high quality internet access. We’re not where we should be but we certainly are getting there,” Ballim said.
The current situation
Kgomotso Selowa, 2nd year engineering, said he enjoyed the virtually uncapped internet that some other universities did not provide, but that the computers were slow.
Otshepeng Letlape, 2nd year BA visual and performance, said she does not use the labs since she got a laptop because she found them crowded and the printers and fans were often not working.
Despite these conditions, there are some students who find the labs helpful. Shalini Lala, 2nd year applied maths, said “some people don’t have access to the internet at home” and the labs are “convenient for many”.
Ballim said the Science Stadium was a learning curve on how technologies can make learning in large classes more effective.
“One of the challenges is getting people used to chalk to use an electronic touch pad with a projector,” he said.
HIGHER ACCESS: A student hard at work outside the CNS computer labs using the wireless network provided by Wits to students for free. The university provided cushions to make the concrete seats more comfortable. Photo: Nandi Ndlazi
Published in Wits Vuvuzela 13th edition, 11th May 2012.
A group of Wits alumni is working towards giving young people in rural areas the chance to be graduates one day.
Former SRC President Muvokhe Masutha and former student Ntandokabawo James lead a career guidance and motivational speaking programme which was launched last year.
Its main aim is to bridge the information gap between rural high school learners and their urban counterparts.
During a recent career guidance project in rural Limpopo, the group learnt many students were unable to apply to university because they did not have the right information. Others believed there were no funding options outside of their parents’ or guardians’ pockets and chose not to apply.
Masutha said they want to give rural learners “informed access” to campus.
“We try and make sure that rural high school learners have access to information about the already ever-changing enrolment system in universities.”
Masutha addresses students at a high school in Limpopo. Photo: Muvokhe Masutha
Student funding was also a focus for the project. Masutha said more than half of the applications for financial aid were rejected because they were not submitted correctly or completely.
He said many undergraduates drop out because they do not have access to career guidance before they get into the system.
Dean of students Prem Coopoo funded the project with additional funding from the Good Start Foundation.
Masutha said matriculants are also encouraged to go to FET colleges because there is “very little space” in universities.
He said the group was hoping for many more volunteers to reach as many rural areas as possible.
Dakalo Mathivha, 1st year BSc, graduated from high school in Limpopo but did not know how to apply to Wits.
“The moment he [Masutha] came, that’s how I knew what I was supposed to do.”
The contract appointments of four members of Wits’ senior executive team will end over the next twelve months.
It has been confirmed that the vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) of finance and operations will leave Wits by May next year.
Prof Loyiso Nongxa will end his 10 year term in May 2013 while the Wits senate voted not to extend the term of office of Prof Patrick Fitzgerald.
In addition the DVC: academic, Prof Yunus Ballim’s term ends in December 2012. He had extended his contract by two years following a five-year term, and his post will have to be re-advertised in line with Wits policy.
The Wits Council approved a two-year contract extension for DVC: advancements and partnerships, Prof Rob Moore.
Moore said Wits was one of the most exciting universities to work at.
“No other campus in this country has got this extraordinary infrastructural development going on at the moment,” he said.
Fitzgerald, whose five-year term of office ends in December 2012, had the option to reapply for the post but chose not to.
“I feel released … like a great burden of responsibility is shifting from my shoulders,” he said.
Fitzgerald said he would enjoy having his freedom of speech on leaving the post.
“If council gives a view, that is the view. You take the view or you resign … I’m going back to a life where I can say whatever I want.”
Fitzgerald said he was proud of the university’s financial turnaround, and its infrastructure projects, which are a “common legacy of the entire management team”.
Fitzgerald plans to return to academia, and said he would “probably” join the Academic Staff Association of Wits University (Asawu), whose demands could afford him a relatively relaxed time and “a good salary.”
The positions of DVC: academic and DVC: finance and operations, will be finalized over the next three months.
Published in Wits Vuvuzela 13th edition, 11th May 2012
The partnership is part of Google’s Art Project, which features art from famous galleries and museums from over 40 countries. The art featured also includes the South African National Gallery (SANG) in Cape Town.
RARI director Professor Benjamin Smith said it was important for South Africa to play a leading role in this international initiative.
“We explained to them and convinced them that this online art gallery would not be complete without the inclusion of South Africa, the place where art began.”
Azizo Da Fonseca, director of the Ringing Rocks Digitizing Laboratory and the African Rock Art, said Southern African rock art provides an insight into the San’s rituals and beliefs. He said the San made most of Southern African rock art.
Smith said South Africa had the oldest piece of art, dating back 17 000 years, and the longest continuing art tradition in the world. “South Africa truly has some of the finest rock art in the world and, by highlighting these sites online, we’re encouraging people to go and actually visit the real thing.”
Da Fonseca said rock art proves the existence of the descendants of Sub-Saharan Africa’s first inhabitants. “Its relevance is further emphasized in its inclusion in the South African coat of arms.”
The art featured is taken from sites that are run by communities and open to the public.
A woman's back is painted with rock art of snakes and horses at the removal site in Mount Currie, KwaZulu-Natal. CREDIT: Reproduced with permission. From the archive of the Rock Art Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. www.sarada.co.za
Published in Vuvuzela 11th edition, 20th April 2012
A SET piece goal from Timothy Batabaire avoided a 6th consecutive loss for Bidvest Wits in the Absa Premiership. The Clever Boys played to a 1 – 1 draw against Ajax Cape Town on Wednesday night at the Bidvest Stadium.
Only a handful of fans braved the chilly Joburg weather to watch the match, which saw Ajax dominate possession early in the game.
Their consistency paid off in the 10th minute when Thembinkosi Fanteni opened the score sheet after he beat the keeper from close range.
Wits’ first real chance at scoring came from Sifiso Vilakazi ten minutes later, with a left-footed shot that went over the crossbar. Vilakazi subsequently missed another chance at goal in the 20th minute when he failed to convert a cross from Katleho Pule from 25 yards.
In the 59th minute, Ajax’s slim lead was cancelled by Batabaire’s equalizer.
A late strike by Asive Langwe in the 82nd minute was deflected over the bar by Ajax goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.
“We’ve conceded a lot of silly goals”.
Bidvest Wits coach Roger De Sa said it was “expected” of the Clever Boys to equalize. “They’ve got fantastic character, they come from a development that’s well groomed”, he said.
The coach lamented the careless mistakes which his players sometimes made. “It’s just the silly goals we concede sometimes that become a bigger problem for us, and we’ve conceded a lot of silly goals this year out of silly errors,” he said.
Wits take on log leader Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, just 3 days after their encounter with Ajax. “We don’t have too much time to prepare, it’s more a question of rest”, De Sa said.
Wits beat Pirates in their last PSL encounter 3 – 1. Wits is currently 13th in the Absa Premiership log table, and haven’t yet won a game this year.
CHASING VICTORY: Wits is currently 13th in the ABSA Premiership log table, and haven' won a game this year.
Published in Vuvuzela 12th edition, 20th April 2012.
SUPERCARE workers fear that a services department staff member who takes pictures of their work will compromise their jobs.
Two workers were suspended last month after they were photographed eating in the Physics building basement. Workers are only permitted to eat in their change rooms.
One of the workers, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were not given an explanation after the photograph was taken by Morema Tefu, operations administrative assistant in the services department.
Jabulani Radebe, shop steward of the Supercare union, said the case against the workers was “useless” because they had been eating during their tea time in the morning.
An internal disciplinary hearing with the Supercare Workers’ Union was held and the workers were reinstated on April 1 after they won the case.
Workers camera shy
Radebe said workers should only be monitored by their supervisors. “All of us are human beings … we have the job description, where we must start, where we must not start.”
Wits has opened its periodic tender application process for various outsourced services. Supercare’s contract was extended by eight months, beginning in April.
Radebe said Tefu may want a new contractor to be hired when Supercare’s contract expires at the end of November.
Wits seeks new contractors
Theresa Main, director of services, said there is nothing irregular about the tender process. “An open and transparent procurement process is put in place for all services, where the underlying contract is drawing to a close,” she said last month.
Contractors are chosen “on the basis of merit based on the criteria and conditions set out by the university”, she said.
Tefu declined to comment.
Published in Vuvuzela 12th edition, 20th April 2012.
A selection of Wits’ creative talent was showcased at Late Nite Jam on Monday night. The platform seeks to give up and coming artistes exposure, and attracts those who do not have the resources to organize their own gigs.
Since her announcement as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille has dominated national headlines. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto dissect a media meet-and-greet with the mayoral hopeful. From her extensive political résumé to her controversial public utterance, we examine why the Democratic Alliance has chosen Hellen Zille as their candidate for the 2027 local mayoral elections. Additionally, […]
