Village Explorer
20 December 2016
13
Hermanus welcomes new oncologist
I
t has always been my dream to live in a coastal town like Hermanus and to be in a position to give back to the community I live in,” says Dr John Duminy of Hermanus Oncology.
The owner of Spec-Savers Hermanus, Chales Gotz, with new optometrists Petré Celliers and Juanita van Tonder.
A new pair of eyes for Spec-Savers Two newcomers have joined Spec-Savers Optometrists in Hermanus, owned by Charles Gotz for the last 17 years. Optometrist Petré Celliers previously worked in Worcester and Caledon and recently joined Spec-Savers full time after doing locum work three days a week since May last year. He will be working alongside Charles at Spec-Savers Hermanus in Main Road, while local resident Juanita van Tonder has been appointed the new optometrist at the SpecSavers branch in Main Road, Sandbaai. Spec-Savers is a nationwide brand and the Hermanus/ Sandbaai franchise forms part of more than 260 branches in South Africa. Known as the “affordable eye care specialists”, Spec-Savers can be contacted
for eye tests, contact lenses, prescription glasses and sun glasses. They regularly have promotions such as the current offer of a free pair of prescription sun glasses with single vision lenses when you purchase an eye test and your first pair of prescription glasses. “We also act as a gateway for more serious visual problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts,” says Charles. “People might not always be aware that there is a problem as some of these conditions are asymptomatic, but with routine eye tests we can pick up on these complications and refer our customers to an eye specialist. That is why it is so important to have your eyes checked at least every two years.”
Hermanus Oncology opened its doors at the beginning of February at the new Medical Village in Westcliff. “We often visited the Cape on holiday and I always told my family that I would like to move here. When the opportunity arose to relocate to Hermanus and practice as an oncologist I immediately put my hand up and the rest, as they say, is history.” John and his wife Martie together with their son Adriaan arrived in Hermanus from Klerksdorp in North West at the end of December. Their daughter Liezl is a student at Potchefstroom University, where both John and Martie received their qualifications as pharmacists in the ‘80s. “After being a pharmacist for a few years I qualified as a doctor at Free State University, after which I practiced as a GP in Leeudoringstad for three years before joining an oncology practice in Klerksdorp 11 years ago. “Although it was not easy to leave our family and friends I am glad we made the move. Hermanus is truly a wonderful
GIVING BACK Dr John Duminy of Hermanus Oncology, with Carol Dunsdon, Monica Storm and Jan Lubbe. In front are Martie Duminy, Sr Aggie Booysen, Merle Vaaltyn and Amorie Bloemarts. place and I now realise how lucky we all are to live here,” says John. He already has some 40 patients who they can treat with chemotherapy in the chemo room under the care of Sr Aggie Booysen. Martie is the pharmacist in charge of mixing the medicine. According to John he drives patients in need of radiation therapy at his own cost to the Vergelegen MediClinic in Somerset West, where he administers the treatment himself. “I want my patients to receive the same level of treatment and care that they have been used to. I do plan to
install a linear accelerator that will enable us to offer radiation treatment locally, but at a cost of close on R25 million it is still going to be a while.”
area so special. You get a distinct feeling that this is a place where things happen. A place where everything works and where the people are happy.”
In order to offer oncology services to the Overstrand and Overberg regions, John also offers treatment every second Thursday at the Swellendam Clinic.
John says his biggest dream is to be able to offer his services to all residents of the region. “I would like to extend my practice to include patients from the provincial hospital. Having access to specialised cancer treatment locally should not only be for people who can afford medical aid. It is my dream to be of service to the whole community.”
Both John and Adriaan are keen mountain bikers and enjoy the various trails on offer in the region. “Although I work hard, I have come to realise that you must make time for yourself and your family. That is what makes this
– De Waal Steyn