The facility will open on 19 June 2012 following a full refurbishment and update of surgical equipment part-funded by a R4 million investment from Smith & Nephew.
"Providing and supporting surgeon training is important to Smith & Nephew everywhere we operate," said Jacob Edwards General Manager Endoscopy and Orthopaedic Reconstruction for Smith & Nephew in South Africa. "The Centre in KwaZulu-Natal will enable surgeons from across South Africa to access the best training in all aspects of orthopaedic surgery, from established procedures such as hip and knee replacement and trauma, to newer minimally invasive surgical techniques."
The opening will be marked by a two-day training workshop by world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Charles Brown. Dr Brown will be demonstrating minimally invasive sports medicine / arthroscopic techniques, with the focus on repairing meniscal tears. These are popular in the private sector and this centre will help surgeons learn the skills required to expand the availability to state-funded patients. Dr Brown was part of the team that developed Smith & Nephew's leading FAST-FIX 360 Meniscal Repair System which will be used throughout his demonstrations.
