DEC 2020 | 1

SMLTSA

“

Invitation to join SAC (Scientific Advisory Committee)

The term for the SAC members and chairs is due for renewal. Members must indicate whether they will be continuing for the next 3 years and new chairs, secretaries, as well as NEC

reps, need to be appointed. SMLTSA invites all those who have more than 5 years’

laboratory experience (post registration) to join the Scientific Advisory Committee of your discipline to become involved in setting and moderation of examination papers.

Those interested, please contact Yuleen Carelse

at the Society Office: 021 531 1231 for further details.

“ Carol Massyn

Acting SMLTSA President

Newsletter

Editor: Lorica Smith

2020 will surely be remembered as one of the most unforgettable years we have ever experienced.

The Covid-19 pandemic affected all walks of life globally but particularly the health-care industry. Our profession, including all Medical Laboratory Professionals, have been on the fore-front of testing, research and patient care world-wide. The Society of Medical Laboratory Technology of South Africa (SMLTSA) has been involved throughout 2020 in the many areas that this pandemic has affected our profession: From student training in laboratories, University training of students, examination arrangements, handling the many queries regarding testing, scope of practice and regulations of practice to offer Covid testing, along with the difficulty in holding AGM’s and meetings. Much training was offered online, many worked from home for periods of time and most have adapted and

become far more technologically advanced with

having to use the many social media platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Lifestream etc. The SMLTSA office in Cape Town has managed these challenges well and I wish to thank all at SMLTSA - the SMLTSA executives who were always at hand to assist with these queries, SMLTSA office manager and staff and mostly each and every Medical Laboratory Professional who contributed to managing all daily crises and challenges during this on-going pandemic in 2020. We urge our members to get involved in all matters related to your profession and to update all contact details with the SMLTSA Office.

May 2021 be a fresh start for all.

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Top row: Wendy Solomon, Siyabonga Msane, Terry van Jaarsveld,

Bottom row: Carol Massyn, Janette Wassung, Rose Naicker

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DEC 2020 | 2

SMLTSA MONDAYS

In the last quarter of 2020, Leah Molai hosted a series of interactive information sessions on social media that soon became known as “SMLTSA Mondays”. SMLTSA Exco representatives and other guests were invited to discuss hot topics and answer burning questions related to our profession. Sessions can be accessed via the links below.

1. Getting to know SMLTSA Link: https://youtu.be/sbGaKisaKdM

2. SMLTSA and the link to HPCSA; Education; Articulation; Molecular Biology scope of practice Link: https://youtu.be/N2jKvZbC6sM

3. Private Practice Link: https://youtu.be/GRi23vHDhxc

4. Journal of Medical Laboratory Science &

Technology of South Africa (JMLSTSA) Link: https://youtu.be/WhkH4O7JRwc

5. Young blood

Guests: student representatives Laykin Weitz and Jonèl Roos Link: https://youtu.be/w4ybqr9_UbM

SMLTSA OFFICE NEWS SMLTSA office received a breath of fresh air with the addition of a couple of new staff members. It was no small feat keeping up with the plethora of administrative functions and examinations during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but our office tackled all challenges with zest and determination.

Yuleen Carelse – office administrator and the face of the SMLTSA office. New staff additions:

Rushda Ryland – new Exam administration clerk.

Galiema Waggie-Maijet – General administration, Registrations clerk

Contact: 021 531 1231

administrator@smltsa.org.za Yuleen Carelse

DEC 2020 | 3

MLP T-SHIRTS

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and throughout the year people wear pink ribbons to honour survivors, remember those lost to the disease and to support the progress we are making together to defeat breast cancer. This includes all the laboratory testing we are involved in on a daily basis. Every Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the “Wear it Pink”-campaign brings together thousands of people on one day, all with the same aim – to wear pink, and help make life-saving breast cancer research happen.

We are the lab We exist We are the Troponin behind the heart attack We are the blood type behind your safe transfusion We are the hCG behind the life that is growing We are the hope to control the pandemic We give answers to the doctor We give hope to the patient We are the first to know and cheer About the good news of an ‘all clear’ result We are again the first to know and feel the sorrow of ‘bad news’ We are the lab We are human beings, not machines We are medical laboratory professionals and we chose to be who we are.

We are a crucial part of your clinical team We provide the missing pieces of the puzzle needed for a diagnosis. We studied; We trained We work around the clock as the team behind the scenes. We are the lab We give our commitment to help find the cure; to defeat disease But most important: We care So think about us when you had your check up Think about us when your dream to become a parent was confirmed Think about us when the blood you received during surgery saved your life Think about us when you have recovered Because we are always here, saving lives behind the scenes. Love,

The lab

I stumbled upon this piece while scrolling through social media a couple of weeks ago. Author/source unknown.

If you, dear reader and fellow medical laboratory professional, are the author of these words, please let us know!

We

are

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lab

DEC 2020 | 4

Written by: Ilse Nel

JERUSALEMA

The world has been in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic since December 2019. As the pandemic continues to rage across the globe, a year later since the first reported cases in Wuhan China, it is safe to say that there is likely no location in the world that has not been affected. Humanity has tried our utmost best to adjust to reality as we now know it. A reality where we no longer see faces but we see masks. The negative affect of the Covid-19 pandemic is far reaching and undeniable. As humanity unites to stand strong against Covid-19; a beautiful global movement of hope was born right here in South Africa and has taken the world by storm. This movement is of course: Jerusalema. Jerusalema is a South African song recorded by producer Master KG and featuring vocals by Nomcebo. Jerusalema is originally sung in Zulu and has strong gospel roots. The Jerusalema dance challenge has spread like wildfire around the world. The internet is flooded with diverse groups of individuals performing the dance – from priests to presidents have acknowledged this united movement. As South Africa is in the grip of the second wave of the pandemic, the fight is far from over. We deeply mourn the lives lost. Humanity is tired but we need to hold on to the flickers of hope. Hope can sometimes come to us in the strangest of ways. Even in a song like Jerusalema that has crossed language, distance and culture barriers to unite the world and has now become the sound of hope

amidst the pandemic.

Jerusalema

Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem, my home)

Ngilondoloze (Rescue me)

Uhambe name (Join me)

Zungangishiyi lana (Don’t leave me here)

Ndawo yami ayikho lana (My place is not here)

Mbuso wami awukho lana (My kingdom is not here)

Ngilondoloze (Rescue me)

Zuhambe name (Come with me)

Ngilondoloze, ngilondoloze (Save me, save me)

Zungangishiyi lana (Don’t leave me here)

Ngilondoloze, ngilondoloze, ngilondoloze

(Save me, save me, save me)

DEC 2020 | 5

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

I am Karynne Levendal, 3rd year student in Medical Laboratory Science at Nelson Mandela University. 2020 started off well - I was greeted with new work and enthusiastic to get the academic year started. All seemed to be on track, then Covid-19 lockdown started which moved people out of office and off-campus. This caused a delay in any communication and trouble with financial aid (which is still unresolved). Thankfully our department is filled with not just lecturers but truth be told; mothers who happen to be teaching. They accommodated me and encouraged me to continue despite my financial constraints and assured me that things will work out. Academically the ball game changed - no more contact classes which I initially thought would be a disaster for me as I am a face-to-face, “need practical and physical experience” kind of student, but as we navigated this new journey of online teaching it actually worked really well for me. We had less lectures during the week, and because it started later during the day, it cut out that absent feeling in a 07h45 lecture where my mind still needed to catch up and the coffee hadn’t kicked in yet - which now was great because I was present and wide awake. The lectures were recorded which was a big plus so if I missed something I could go back and listen again. Academically, Covid-19 has changed the norm, but in some instances it assisted me in grasping the understanding of the disciplines better and the time in between lectures allowed me the grace to be make more comprehensive summaries for myself. Due to repeating two modules from my second year I did not have the WIL training, but my fellow students reported that they experienced many challenges and unmet expectations e.g. not being able to visit actual laboratories. Once again, the MLS department came through for our students. I am grateful to have a department who cares about the success of the student. ‘Saving lives one specimen at a time’ rings louder now than ever before, I am thankful to be at this point in my studies and can’t

wait to be able to assist in this fight. Karynne Levendal 3rd year student – Nelson Mandela University

SMLTSA PE Branch Student Representative

Follow your SMLTSA branch on Facebook to

keep up with important dates and events.

PE Branch

Cape Branch

Tygerberg Branch

E’goli Branch

KZN Midlands Branch

Free State Branch

JAN 2021 | 5

Contact SMLTSA:

administrator@smltsa.org.za

www.smltsa.org.za

021 531 1231