17 February 2000
Health Minister, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang wishes Thando Mlambo-Manyathi a speedy recovery after undergoing an operation that will make her smile for the first time.
The Minister commends Dr Zucker, head of paediatric surgery - Crano Maxillo Facial Surgeon, who is based in Toronto, Canada and Dr van der Kolk, head of Paediatric Surgery at John Hopkins Hospital in the United States.
Says Dr Tshabalala-Msimang: "On our own, we would not have been able to face this enormous challenge. The joint effort has certainly made a difference in the life of Thando and in the medical history of South Africa and that of the world."
The Minister also commended the South African doctors, Dr Tsaras, head of paediatric surgery at the Johannesburg General Hospital and Dr Graeme Pitcher, who will be taking care of Thando after the surgery.
"Facial muscle paralysis is a rare and complicated condition, which requires highly specialised knowledge of the nervous system. I wish to commend the team that has taken this challenge head on, to give Thando and her family a most precious gift, a smile," The experience and the expertise gained as a result of this surgery will greatly enrich South Africa. To learn and gain from the procedure, South African doctors watched from a closed-up television every detail of the operation, as it was being performed.
The national health system, including the Gauteng provincial health department made available its human resources for the operation as well as the facility, in line with its policy to provide quality health care to the South African population. According to the latest report from the hospital, Thando's condition is stable although she is still on a ventilator. Her improvement after the operation will be determined over a period of time. A second operation is being scheduled for May or June this year.
Dr Graeme Pitcher, Specialist paediatrician Surgeon at the Johannesburg General Hospital is looking after Thando.
Have a nice day!
Issued by: Department of Health