country , with 75 % of ICU beds being in these same three provinces . Western Cape has five ICU beds per 100 000 population , explains Paruk , while Limpopo and the North West sit at 1:100 000 . “ These figures contrast glaringly with those for Germany , the US and Italy .”
Country
Ratio Germany 29:100 000 US 34:100 000 Italy 12:100 000
AIs like Stevie could help to address the gaps in the healthcare system in a costeffective manner .
“ I see this as a major opportunity to address the intensivist [ ICU specialist ] shortage in both the public and private sectors in South Africa , enhance the more efficient use of ICU beds in our country and provide outreach to provinces that are in desperate need for such support ,” says Paruk .
A positive experience
While Stevie is a long-term project and proof of concept in South Africa , the AI could not have arrived at a better time for the team at Steve Biko , explains Paruk , noting the “ significant strain ” COVID-19 has put on the ICU and its team .
Stevie has stepped in to enable ad-hoc consultations with ICU specialists , clinical tutorials via telemedicine for medical trainees and interactive discussions with experts in Germany , which exposes University of Pretoria medical students to new paradigms while freeing up senior clinicians to focus on clinical work .
So far , the experience and uptake has been positive .
A glimpse into the future
For South Africa ’ s overstretched medical profession , telemedicine is likely to form part of any plans to rethink and reshape healthcare practices .
“ COVID-19 saw our universities , and students adapt overnight to the uptake of new technologies like e-learning , and strategies to ensure student safety and continued learning research activities , clinical skills training , student assessments and even graduations . It also brought to the fore inequitable access to virtual learning and education in our country ,” says Paruk .
Ultimately all South African universities will have to deal with the challenges of equipping future medical professionals to “ address multifaceted challenges in our healthcare landscape ”, as well as reshaping the future of learning . This means a greater focus on , among other things , the use of virtual learning platforms , partnerships with the private sector and increased support for students learning remotely .
Stevie is just the start as healthcare embraces innovative technology .
Up close with Prof Paruk
South Africa ’ s first obstetric ICU specialist , Professor Fathima Paruk currently serves as Academic and Clinical Head of UP ’ s Department of Critical Care at Steve Biko Academic Hospital . She is also President of the Critical Care Society of Southern Africa , having previously served two terms as Honorary Secretary .
Paruk serves on ministerialappointed committees , including the Medical and Dental Board of the Health Professionals Council of South Africa . She is currently a member of the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand .
Passionate about exploring new technologies in medicine , critical care service improvement , ICU medical ethics and mediation in the South African health sector , Paruk works at the coalface of building a strong and effective healthcare sector for the future as she trains professionals for the future and regularly shares her insights via a wide range of publications and at national and international speaking events .
A passionate supporter of women and their advancement in the medical profession , Paruk remains humble despite her stellar career . Asked how she hoped to be remembered ; she says : “ Just to be remembered is a huge honour indeed . It would be awesome if it were in the context of being a good listener , kind , driven to implement changes and always curious .”
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