Empangeni
is an hour and a half’s drive north of the capital city of Durban, along an
excellent highway. It is less than half an hour from the busy coastal port and
warm water surfing beaches of Richards Bay,
with its large shopping malls, many restaurants and movie theatres.
Empangeni is a bustling, safe and friendly town, situated within an extensive
sugar farming area, and has a rich and interesting history.
Within 30 Kms. is the beautiful coastal resort of Mtunzini,
with its magnificent beaches, lagoon, and rich flora and fauna. Mtunzini is
often the chosen home of academics from the University of Zululand,
as well as some of our own staff members. The university is situated
approximately 10 Km from the hospital, and has a nursing faculty.
Within an easy hour’s drive from Empangeni are the gates of the world famous
game reserves’ of Hluhluwe and Umfolozi.
A further two hours will take you to the wonderful natural wilderness area of Kozi bay,
and then on to Southern
Mozambique, with its magnificent beaches and diving resorts. Even closer to
home is the world renowned diving area of Sodwana bay.
Numerous small reserves, famous for their birdlife and trails, are within a
stone’s throw of the hospital. An 18 hole golf course can be seen out of the
labour ward windows, and regular games are a feature in the staffs’ schedule.
Empangeni enjoys a warm winter and hot tropical summer climate. Malaria has not
been diagnosed in the area for a number of seasons’.
LURWMH is officially a level 2 hospital, but deals with many complex level 3
problems, as it is the only referral hospital for 16 level 1 hospitals, many in
deep rural areas. This results in our staff treating many complex diseases on a
daily basis. This experience is probably unique in offering the quick
acquisition of many emergency and elective clinical and surgical skills, in a
well supervised environment, essentially up to level 3.
The hospital runs regular courses on ultrasound and emergency obstetrics. In
addition we offer the opportunity to visit and become involved in rural
medicine, if requested, as there is a strong outreach program running from the
hospital.
The present medical staff consists of 6 full time consultants, 2 registrars,
about 15 medical officers and 8 interns, doing a 4 month block in Obstetrics and
Gynaecology.
Registrars have accreditation for up to 2 years’ of their training time.
A physician and urologist are available for consultation if needed. Referral
services for oncology as well as cardiology and other tertiary services are
available.
After hour calls are well spread out, with calls seldom occurring more than 1 in
6 nights.
A number of our medical officers have done, or are doing, the diplomas in
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and supervision is offered for this.
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