27 November 2024
“Accessible Bariatric Surgery Offers Health and Hope to South Africans in Need”
Press release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 27 November 2024
100 word summary:
A new collaboration between Respiratory Care Africa (RCA), The Innovative Surgery Fund (ISF), and The Obesity Community Fund, based at Zuid Afrikaans Hospital is taking a bold step to address South Africa's growing obesity crisis by making bariatric surgery more accessible and affordable. On November 27, four patients will undergo life-saving surgery at reduced costs, funded by these partners. This initiative not only aids patients but also fuels innovation in surgical techniques, research, and training for healthcare professionals. With over 20 million South Africans impacted by obesity, the project will expand in 2025, enhancing access to effective treatments and offering sustainable solutions for one of the nation’s most significant health challenges.
Headline:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 27 November 2024
100 word summary:
A new collaboration between Respiratory Care Africa (RCA), The Innovative Surgery Fund (ISF), and The Obesity Community Fund, based at Zuid Afrikaans Hospital is taking a bold step to address South Africa's growing obesity crisis by making bariatric surgery more accessible and affordable. On November 27, four patients will undergo life-saving surgery at reduced costs, funded by these partners. This initiative not only aids patients but also fuels innovation in surgical techniques, research, and training for healthcare professionals. With over 20 million South Africans impacted by obesity, the project will expand in 2025, enhancing access to effective treatments and offering sustainable solutions for one of the nation’s most significant health challenges.
Headline:
“Accessible Bariatric Surgery Offers Health and Hope to South Africans in Need”
Subheadline (Optional):
Innovative partnership lowers costs, broadening access to transformative bariatric surgery for millions affected by obesity in South Africa.
Pretoria, South Africa – [Insert Date]:
Obesity and its related diseases have become some of the most costly and challenging health issues worldwide. In South Africa, a group of visionary healthcare providers, advocates, and patients are joining forces to combat this epidemic through an initiative focused on increasing access to bariatric surgery.
On November 27, four patients will undergo life-saving weight loss surgery at significantly reduced costs thanks to a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing financial while advancing medical research and training for bariatric surgeons. The project is set to expand in 2025, offering more patients access to surgery and enhancing healthcare professional training opportunities.
The Obesity Crisis: A Multi-Billion Rand Problem
Obesity is merely a lifestyle issue – it’s a complex, multi-faceted disease requiring medical intervention. Currently, 32% of South Africans live with obesity, a figure projected to reach 50% by 2030... With more than 20 million South Africans affected, less than 0.03% have access to bariatric surgery, a life-changing treatment option.
Although lifestyle changes alone are successful in only 2% of cases, 80% of patients who undergo bariatric surgery maintain long-term weight loss. However, access is limited by high costs and a shortage of trained bariatric surgeons.
The Solution: Collaborative Innovation and Patient Advocacy
This initiative is spearheaded by five key partners, including Respiratory Care Africa (RCA), The Innovative Surgery Fund (ISF), and The Obesity Community Fund who have come together to address this challenge. By funding surgeries, advancing research, and developing cost-effective bariatric techniques, they aim to make this transformative surgery accessible to more South Africans.
“As the Managing Director of RCA, it is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to support those in need of life-changing medical interventions. We are proud to sponsor four South Africans in their journey to undergo bariatric surgery—an essential step toward a healthier, fuller life that would otherwise be out of reach for them. Obesity is a serious health challenge in South Africa, impacting not only individual lives but entire communities. Many face severe health complications that stem from obesity, including diabetes, heart disease, and limited mobility, yet often lack access to the resources necessary for effective treatment. By funding these surgeries, we are not only supporting these four patients but also underscoring the importance of making transformative healthcare accessible to more people across the country. This sponsorship reflects our commitment to improving lives through medical innovation and compassionate support. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to regain their health, mobility, and confidence, and we are honoured to play a role in making that possible for these patients. Our hope is that their stories will inspire greater awareness of the benefits of bariatric surgery and encourage more partnerships to make quality healthcare available to all who need it,” says Christiaan de Wet
“This initiative will not only improve patient access to life-saving surgery but will also provide critical training opportunities for surgeons in South Africa,” says Dr. Thinus Smit, founder of the Innovation in Surgery Foundation and a proctor for the South African Metabolic Medicine and Surgery Society (SAMMSS).
The initiative is based in a high-volume, multi-disciplinary bariatric care setting that delivers comprehensive support for patients dealing with obesity at Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital (ZAH), who has provided discounted surgical theatre rates.
About the partners:
- Respiratory Care Africa (RCA) Be the desired partner to extend and enhance life by improving patient care through education and clinical support. RCA is committed to providing sustainable solutions that strive for the best bariatric care outcomes.
- Innovative Surgery Fund (ISF) is a non-profit organization focused on improving access to life-changing obesity treatments, while also providing surgical training and research opportunities for healthcare professionals.
- Obesity Community Fund is a patient-led organization that supports research, education, and patient advocacy to make obesity treatment more accessible through fundraising efforts and patient involvement.
“With the Obesity Community Fund, we’re creating a platform for patients to share their stories, raise awareness, and contribute to a solution,” adds Dr. Smit.
Contact Information:
For Media Inquiries:
Dr. Thinus Smit
012 346 5639
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