The facility opened its doors in February, and has already earned a reputation as a world-class hospital. The ability of doctors to access cutting edge technology, supplied by Siemens, has undoubtedly played a role in this regard.

Neil Lipsitz, regional account manager for the Western Cape, explains that amongst the equipment supplied by Siemens is the Artis Zeego. Cape Gate Medi-Clinic is the very first African hospital to install this innovative vascular suite. The key feature here is a robotic C-shaped imaging arm, which enables surgeons to easily acquire views from various angles, which then inform vascular procedures. This state-of-the-art digital system is designed in a way which allows it to expand along with the hospital’s patient base and their needs, so that it will ultimately aid in interventions related to oncology, neuroradiology and cardiology. Lipsitz points out that the selection of this equipment means that Cape Gate Medi-Clinic can seamlessly branch into disciplines beyond vascular surgery when the time is right.

He adds that, by providing imaging equipment to be installed inside an operating theatre, Artis Zeego presents one of the first truly hybrid laboratories, and certainly a first in its kind for South Africa. “With this technology, screening and operating can happen simultaneously. This means that it’s no longer necessary to start operating only once a patient has undergone imaging in radiology. It’s an enormous time saver,” says Lipsitz – and in a medical situation, any equipment that saves time has the potential to save lives, too.

Lipsitz observes that, until now, screening has only taken place at the same time as operations if the necessary equipment has been wheeled into the operating theatre. This impacts on the space available to the surgeon. However, because the Artis Zeego has been purpose-built and designed with the dimensions of the theatre in mind, it can be neatly stored away from the operating table - up against the ceiling or in a corner, for instance - until it is required.

Additional imaging C-arms have also been purchased by the hospital, indicating that Medi-Clinic appreciate the superior quality and level of service provided by Siemens.

Siemens further supplied the equipment for the private radiology practice, Dr Schnetler and Partners, operating within Cape Gate Medi-Clinic.

Again, a first in South Africa has been recorded with the doctors’ acquisition of the MAGNETOM EZZENZA; a new, 1.5 tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine which offers exceptional imaging quality. Cost effectiveness is a further advantage.

The practice is also the first in the Western Cape to acquire the Luminos dFR, a fully digitised screening table. “The future of radiology is fully digitised. This equipment speaks directly to this trend, providing a universal screening table with a flat panel that can be used for both screening procedures and general x-rays,” Lipsitz notes.

He adds that Siemens has traditionally enjoyed a reputation for providing medical providers with the most innovative technology available. Moreover, armed with its new equipment, Cape Gate Medi-Clinic can proudly take its place as a leader in its field.