Mollendorff - Doctor of the Year
2002-08-10 11:13
Pretoria - Former Rob Ferreira Hospital Superintendent Dr Thys von Mollendorff of Nelspruit was named Rural Doctor of the Year at the Rural Doctors' Association's (Rudasa) annual conference
in Sabie on Friday.
"We want to recognise how he took a stand against the government and bureaucracy by providing antiretrovirals to rape victims," said Ian Cooper, professor of rural health at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Thousands of doctors have sided with Von Molendorff over the past few months. They believe he acted ethically for allowing the Greater Nelspruit Rape Intervention Project (Grip) to manage a care centre for rape victims from the Rob Ferreira Hospital.
The project was closed down by order from Mpumalanga health MEC Sibongile Manana and Von Mollendorff was dismissed.
The Pierre Jacques Award was presented for the first time on Friday night.
'I feel good'
"I feel good knowing rural doctors have supported me throughout. I appreciate their support," Von Mollendorff said.
"The biggest problems facing rural doctors are political interference and centralised authority in provinces. Things could change for the better if doctors are allowed to act in the best interest of their patients and with clinical autonomy."
Von Mollendorff is to contest his dismissal in the labour court. His legal representative is in the process of preparing his case.
Retired Dr Pierre Jacques, who worked at the Elim Hospital in Limpopo for 30 years, and is seen as a role model for rural doctors, also attended the conference.
Cooper describes Von Mollendorff as someone who is never flustered or rattled. He is always prepared to give advice and can solve just about any problem.