Thembisa Shologu
For the first time in over four decades, the Sebokeng Hospital performed brain surgeries on two patients suffering from a subdural haematoma, bleeding onto the brain last week. 
This major milestone follows the recent establishment of a Neurosurgery unit at the hospital tasked with reducing the high prevalence of mortality and morbidity of traumatic brain injury patients in the Sedibeng District.
Previously, Sebokeng Hospital referred patients needing brain surgery to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
"As part of reclaiming the jewel of the Gauteng public health system, one of our key focus areas is to ensure that our facilities function optimally and that infrastructure challenges are addressed as this directly impacts positive health outcomes, MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said on Monday.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko commended the team, citing that the surgery bears evidence of the support given by the department to capacitate its centres of excellence by ensuring that health facilities have the right skills and equipment to render services to the public.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Fhatuwani Mbara said many patients who presented at the facility with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) were demising due to a lack of immediate neurosurgical interventions.
"TBI patients were occupying ICU beds for a prolonged duration with no definite management plan because the majority of patients require different types of operations ranging from skull, brain and spine surgeries. 
"The newly established unit and the highly skilled team we have will ensure that we reduce head injury-related deaths sustained by our patients, especially men of younger age groups," added Mbara.
 Photo Cred:SABC