UFS CELEBRATE MANDELA MONTH BY PARTICIPATING IN CHARITABLE ROBOTIC SURGERIES

Photo: Robotic Surgeries

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

The University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with the Free State Department of Health, African Synergy Health (ASH), CMR Surgical, and Marcus Medical, announced a breakthrough initiative in celebration of Mandela Month.

The UFS will become the first public academic institution in the country to participate in these fully sponsored charitable robotic surgeries, which will take place between 21 and 28 July 2025.

This landmark initiative represents a groundbreaking partnership between the public and private sectors in honour of Nelson Mandela’s iconic prison number – 46664 – and showcases the unique multidisciplinary robotic surgery capabilities located in the Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein.

The initiative will include 4 surgeons, performing 6 robotic procedures, on 6 patients, over 6 days, across 4 specialities.

It forms part of the Mandela Week Surgical Marathon hosted by ASH, a registered not-for-profit, public benefit organisation established to alleviate surgical backlogs in the public sector and other African hospitals.

Following successful missions in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, this year's programme aims to complete 67 charitable procedures per province, honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

The surgeries will be performed in the Universitas Academic Hospital in the following specialities: Urology, Hepato-pancreato-biliary, Colorectal, and Upper Gastrointestinal/General Surgery.

Prof Corlia Janse van Vuuren, the acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS, says that this initiative is testament to a space where technology meets compassion, where science serves humanity.

“Through this, we are proud to contribute to former President Nelson Mandela’s vision of creating a better world for all who live in it,” said Prof Janse van Vuuren.

This year, the theme for Mandela Month is It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.

The UFS, along with the various partners involved in this groundbreaking initiative, is proud to heed the call to action by participating in this pioneering initiative in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service, solidarity, and upliftment.