New hope for SA heart sufferers

The NHS deal could help people in Cape Town

By Joanna Ross in Cape Town

Ponelwa Phuna has a heart problem.

In order to treat her condition she makes the 11 hour journey by road from her home in the Eastern Cape to Groote Schuur Hospital, in Cape Town, made famous by the heart transplant pioneer, Christian Barnard.

There is something in it for both parties - it's a win-win situation

Dr Norman Maharaj

"I went to my local hospital last January and was referred to Groote Schuur as it specialises in cardiological problems."

Ponelwa was assessed by the cardiology unit and is now on a waiting list.

She has been told her condition is a result of her social situation.

Something that is common in the Eastern Cape, part of which was formerly the black homelands.

"There is a high level of rheumatic fever in South Africa amongst the poor", explains professor emeritus of cardiac surgery, Robert Frater.

"Medically it disappeared as a disease in the UK around the 50s and 60s with ready availability of antibiotics and improvements in housing."

Easily treatable

Rheumatic fever is caused by the streptococcus A bacteria.

Christian Barnard worked at Groote Schuur Hospital

This begins as a strep sore throat, now easily treatable by antibiotics, and is easily spread in overcrowded conditions.

Untreated, it can result in rheumatic heart disease when the heart's valves effectively rot.

Ironically, whilst Groote Schuur hospital has the expertise and the beds to treat people like Ponelwa, they do not have the resources.

But all this could change with a plan in conjunction with British medical authorities to send British NHS heart patients to Groote Schuur Hospital for treatment.

The scheme would take advantage of the hospital's spare capacity whilst relieving pressure on NHS waiting lists.

No losers

The chief executive officer of the Groote Schuur Hospital is Dr Norman Maharaj, and he believes NHS patients coming to Cape Town could help alleviate the problems here and in the UK.

"There is something in it for both parties - it's a win-win situation.

"We would be able to assist the UK with addressing their own waiting lists at a lower cost than you can provide for in the UK.

"The UK will be able to assist us in terms of addressing our own particular needs, allowing us to do more and improved surgery on our own patients."

At present the cardiac unit at Groote Schuur has to evaluate those in the waiting list, like Ponelwa, according to the urgency of their situation.

But with only a certain number of operations able to take place each week, it can often take a long time for people to be treated, according to cardiologist John Stevens.

"Last week, for example, every case was an emergency, so only one off the waiting list got done."

Whilst negotiations are still underway with British health authorities in the Midlands, Ponelwa hopes that the proposal will become a Robin Hood style reality for her and thousands like her.