There are many firsts in the newly introduced Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care (BEMC) course being offered at the Bellville campus.

Apart from being offered in a state-of-the-art building, CPUT’s BEMC 1 is also pioneering the introduction of Anatomy and Physiology into the course.

This is a first for Emergency Medical Care courses across the country and is expected to completely revolutionise the training of paramedics in South Africa.

Head of Department Christopher Lloyd says Anatomy and Physiology used to largely be taught via textbooks and PowerPoint presentations which cannot compare to the practical experience of seeing tissue under a microscope.

Dr Kareemah Gamieldien is at the helm of the innovation and this week taught her very first Anatomy and Physiology course to first years in a specially designed laboratory.

At a later stage, students will graduate from lab work to working on actual cadavers - another first for the course.

TOP CLASS: Health and Wellness Dean Dhiro Gihwala with HOD Christopher Lloyd and staff and students in the brand new anatomy lab

“The point of a subject like this is so that the students understand how the body works. So when it isn’t functioning correctly they can understand why the body responds the way it does,” says Gamieldien.

The course is offered in a state of the art lab which is kitted out with brand new microscopes and Data Acquisition Systems which will allow the students to monitor their own pulse rates, blood pressure, electrical cardiac events and even analyze their respiratory capacities.

“For our department, it is a huge feat, since we will be the first to incorporate practicals of this caliber in the Emergency Medicine programme so we are leading the way,” says Gamieldien.

Written by Lauren Kansley
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The Emergency Medical Sciences (EMS) Department is forging ahead with establishing a dedicated space for its graduate students.

Thanks to a generous R200 000 donation from the Professional Provident Society (PPS), the Centre for EMS Graduate Studies will soon begin taking shape.

EMS Head of Department, Christopher Lloyd, says the department has recently moved into a modern new building, custom-built for the specialised needs of students, graduates and lecturers. One of the rooms in the building has been earmarked as a Centre for EMS Graduate Studies. 

“It is intended to be a venue where graduate students gather for research purposes, think-tanks and brainstorming sessions, focus group discussions, tutorials, internet research and socialising. We see this space as a catalyst for the promotion of intellectualism and thought-leaders in our profession.”

Lloyd says the department is widely regarded as the best in South Africa, if not the continent. Students are trained in both advanced life support and medical as well as rescue skills. They are thus in high demand internationally, as evidenced by the recent mission to earthquake-struck Nepal.

Sandi Goodwin and Riana ‘O Neil of PPS say they are proud to be associated with the department.

“While PPS offers insurance, investment and healthcare solutions exclusively for graduate professionals, the financial education of students is a large part of our offering. It makes us happy to guide students in financial planning.”

Students in their fourth academic year of study, studying towards one of the PPS eligible professions, are also entitled to membership.

Written by Janyce Weintrob

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