The Heart and Stroke Foundation has donated an  Automated External Defibrillator, also known as an AED,  to the Faculty. A defibrillator is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyse the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

The donation was handed over by Chief Executive Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Pamela Naidoo to head of the Department of Medicine Professor Ntobeko Ntusi in the company of Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Associate Professor Lionel Green-Thompson, and Head of Cardiology Professor Mpiko Ntsekhe.

Professor Naidoo explained that the donation was part of a collaboration with Dutch-based manufacturer Philips which resulted in 25 devices being donated to various organisations in the province.

“We are deeply grateful for this donation, and to have such a device available for emergencies on our campus. We will need to locate the AED in a space on campus that will be accessible within minutes to resuscitate people should a need arise,”  said Associate Professor Lionel Green-Thompson.