Radiography receives R2.5 Million GE Healthcare Educational grant 

At thirty seven years (37) old, Radiography is one of the Tshwane University of Technology’s oldest learning programmes and has been an industry leader in the training of diagnostic radiographers for the South African market, since its first intake of twelve (12) students in 1984. It was in this year that industry and other stakeholders expressed the need for more diagnostic radiographers to address the critical shortage in both provincial- and private facilities.

As there were not a lot of clinical training facilities available in the greater Tshwane district to conduct clinical training, a deal was struck with private radiological practices in Pretoria, whereby students could gain clinical hours (as required by the HPCSA), whilst completing their studies. With this agreement in place, the first students enrolled for the Diagnostic Radiography learning programme which formed part of the Department of Paramedical Sciences, in the School of Health Sciences, under the leadership of Mr Stoney Steenkamp and Prof Juan Pieterse.

Thanks to a R2.5 Million educational sponsorship (grant) from GE Healthcare, a division of GE South Africa, the Radiography Division of the Faculty of Science will soon boast state-of-the-art Revolution ACT CT Scan (8SL) equipment, using the latest cutting edge technology that combines data from several X-rays to produce a detailed image of internal structures, within the human body.

The computerised tomography (CT) equipment will be installed in the Radiography Clinical Skills Centre and will be used to aid the advancement of clinical capabilities for the radiography students.

After a recent visit by delegates from GE Healthcare to the Radiography Clinical Skills Centre (TUT Arcadia campus), GE Healthcare indicated a willingness to assist the Radiography programme, in alignment with GE Healthcare’s policy for the provision of an educational sponsorship. Having direct access to CT training on campus, provides radiography students an enormous advantage! CT modality training can now be conducted on-site, at any time that suits the academic calendar. A fully equipped Radiography Skills Centre also assists and supports the learning programme to negate the strict COVID protocols at the various HPCSA approved clinical facilities, where students are currently allocated as student-radiographers. 

By combining X-rays and computer technology, CT scans are often used to detect internal injuries or damage by producing images of the inside of the body. However, as technology advances, modern CT equipment can show high-resolution images of any part of the body, including muscles, bones, organs and blood vessels, enabling the radiologists in diagnosing diseases (pathology) such as tumours and internal bleeding. 

As part of the newly established agreement between TUT and GE Healthcare, the Radiography students were recently invited to the GE Healthcare Innovation centre in Parktown. This R80 Million facility is home to GE Healthcare’s innovation focus across Africa, showcasing the group’s various healthcare technologies across hospital care areas ¬-- from the emergency room and theatre, to cardiology, oncology and infant care.

TUT Radiography is proud to be associated with a world leader such as GE Healthcare and grateful for the generous support to obtain this type of advanced radiology equipment and train radiography students on campus. We look forward to an exciting journey ahead with GE Healthcare as our partner!