Busamed Bram Fischer Private Hospital in Bloemfontein is performing five free corrective spinal surgeries for children living with scoliosis as part of Universal Care Week.
The first operation was successfully completed on Monday 20 July, with the initiative aimed at reducing the burden on the public healthcare system while restoring the health, mobility and confidence of young patients.
According to hospital manager Dr Mosoeu Mongangane, the initiative was launched to assist patients who cannot afford private healthcare. “We are trying to reach everyone who cannot afford our services,” he said, adding Busamed hospitals across the country aim to perform 67 procedures during the campaign.
Mongangane said the Free State has a significant backlog of spinal and other surgical cases. “The state is burdened with the backlog and it is difficult to reach everyone because of the capacity, especially with theatre time. That’s when we said let’s extend our services and relieve them with at least 20 patients for now.”
He explained scoliosis as a spinal deformity whereby the spine does not follow its normal curvature. “It affects their breathing, they have persistent pain and cannot stand for long, sit for long and it affects their confidence because they don’t look like other kids, and they don’t do well in school as well.”
He said untreated scoliosis can lead to further complications. “We will do five corrective spinal surgeries, where the spine will be straightened or put in a fashion it is supposed to be. Therefore pain will be relieved and breathing patterns will be better, as well as their confidence restored, helping children stand straighter and move more comfortably,” he said.
They will do one case per day because these are lengthy procedures, taking four hours per patient. “We will admit them to ICU and they can then be referred to the state hospital.”
Mongangane added, “Life before business, that’s our greatest goal.” The hospital hopes to expand its support for public healthcare. The first patient, a 17-year-old from Bethlehem whose family requested anonymity, underwent surgery on Monday. His mother said they first noticed something was wrong in October 2024 before he was diagnosed with scoliosis.”
I have noticed that as time went by, he was no longer free to wear T-shirts, but would hide himself in big jackets to hide his body. “Finding ourselves at Busamed made me very happy, because I cannot afford a private hospital and my son will finally receive the help he needs. I am very happy my son will be like other kids.”
She said especially thanks God more than anything as the condition had affected both his confidence and school performance. Free State Health MEC Nthatisi Motlatsi welcomed the initiative, saying private healthcare partnerships help reduce the province’s waiting list for complex and costly procedures. “We have requested private facilities to come to the fore, that is why we are excited that Busamed is the first to come forth and is assisting us.”
Department of health clinical advisor Dr Noor Mahomed Zakhura said, “We are grateful that Busamed came up as the first in this initiative. Changing a person’s life for the future is a lifetime achievement for them and their family.”
