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UCT Research Report '11
316
Contact Details
Postal Address: GI Clinic, E23, New Main Building, Groote
Schuur Hospital, Observatory, 7925
Telephone: +27 21 404 3040
Fax: +27 21 447 0582
E-mail: jej.krige@uct.ac.za / gillian.watermeyer@uct.ac.za
Division of Haematology and
UCT Leukaemia Unit
Head of Division: Professor N. Novitzky
Divisional Profile
The Division of Haematology at Groote Schuur Hospital is
a complex unit with multi disciplinary activities that include
outpatient clinics, admission beds as well as diagnostic and
research laboratories. The clinical services are organised
under the umbrella of the Department of Internal Medicine,
while the laboratory diagnostic sections are under the
broader organisation of the Department of Clinical &
Laboratory Sciences and National Health Laboratory
Service (NHLS). The Haematology section of the laboratory
was accredited with SANAS 3 years ago and after review,
this accreditation was confirmed last year.
Patients with elaborate clinical problems, bone marrow
failure or requiring stem cell transplantation are referred from
all provinces; particularly the Northern and Eastern Cape
and particularly we receive referrals from foreign institutions
in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, individuals with multiple
myeloma and other lymphoproliferative disorders are treated
together with the Department of Radiation Oncology in
combined clinics. Of concern is that a substantial increase
in the numbers of HIV related malignancies and particularly
Burkitt’s lymphoma and leukaemia that have significantly
strained our hospital beds.
The Division of Haematology provides training for
both undergraduate and postgraduate students at the
Medical Faculty. Registrars and consultants participate
in undergraduate training, facilitating various modules
focussing in blood disorders. At the postgraduate level,
training is given at the level of master’s and PhD courses in
cellbiologyaswellasspecialist traininginhaematopathology
for medical graduates. In addition, within the Department
of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences 3 divisions participate
in the training provided to Clinical Pathology candidates.
Regular experiential teaching and microscope tutorials
are given to registrars in Haematopathology. Journal
Clubs, seminars and group teaching is offered to
Haematopathology, Clinical Haematology and general
medical registrars. Interdepartmental meetings are held
with academic staff from Tygerberg Hospital and Red
Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. Faculty members
from the division also regularly contribute to the teaching
programmes of the basic sciences as well as Departments
of Internal Medicine and Clinical and Laboratory Sciences.
In addition a University of Cape Town Leukaemia Unit
established within the division, has now been reviewed and
approved by the University Research Committee and will
continue focusing its researchwork in theareaof haemopoietic
stem cell biology and stem cell transplant immunology. The
research laboratory located at the medical school campus is
well equipped to support undergraduate and postgraduate
pathology and science students. Dr Shaheen Mowla has
joined Dr Karen Shires to expand the molecular and cellular
research in the Leukaemia Unit laboratory. The main
objective will be to pursue further research into the area
normal and malignant haematopoiesis, detection of minimal
residual disease in patients with leukaemia, cellular therapies
and stem cell transplantation.
Divisional Statistics
Permanent and Long-term Contract Staff:
Professor
1
Clinical Service
Senior Specialists
1
Specialist
1
Clinical Registrars
3
Senior House Officers
2
Chief Professional Nurse
2
Administrative and clerical staff
3
Diagnostic Service
Senior Pathologist
1
Pathologists
2
Pathologist part-time
1
Scientist
1
Pathology Registrars
5
Laboratory Manager
1
Medical Technologists
17
Technicians
4
UCT Leukaemia Unit
Scientist
1
Research Officer
1
Research Technologist
1
Clinical Research Co-Ordinator
1
Administrative and clerical staff
1
Laboratory assistants (medical school)
2
Students
Doctoral
2
Master’s
3
MMed
2
Honours
1