Odyssey Medical Mag | Issue 01

ODYSSEY MEDICAL

INTRODUCING

The Odyssey Medical Mag

Dear reader,

Welcome to the debut edition of the Odyssey Medical Mag! For the past few months, we’ve been working behind the scenes to put together this extra special launch edition of Ballito’s first ever digitised medical magazine.

The Odyssey Medical Mag is your onestop healthcare guide. Say goodbye to overwhelming google searches - this handy digital mag promises to deliver everything you could possibly need - and then some!

From interviews with healthcare specialists to medical editorials written by industry experts, each edition of the Odyssey Medical Mag will offer an exciting variety of trending health and wellness topics - with a few lifestyle, business and foodie articles for good measure! We aim to showcase Odyssey Medical Centre’s world-class facilities, as well as its impressive array of medical professionals and healthcare specialists.

We are delighted to have you join us on this journey to medical excellence.

Without further ado...we hereby declare the Odyssey Medical Mag officially LAUNCHED!

ABOUT ODYSSEY MEDICAL CENTRE

Centrally located in the heart of Ballito, Odyssey Medical Centre is a state-of-theart facility occupied by renowned medical practitioners and healthcare specialists.

Equipped with world-class facilities such as on-site laboratories, specialised equipment and advanced integrated technology systems, Odyssey Medical Centre boasts a wide range of medical professionals all conveniently located under one roof for a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.

CONTACT US

1 Simbithi Dr, Ballito, Durban, 4420. marketing@odysseymedical.co.za 032 061 0407

MEET THE DOCTORS

DR. ASHLEIGH BHANJAN Durban Neuro Laser Clinic

DR. PRELEEN SOOKOO Clinical Psychologist

PATHCARE LABORATORY Pathology

DR. ERNEST MURAGIJEYESU Medical Doctor & Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician

DR. KEVIN NAIDOO Classic Dental Studio

SHUBNUM GOWRISUNKAR The Hydroderm & Body Clinic

DR. SANVIR SIRRIRAM Rheumatologist & Specialist Physician

DR. SIDDI GANIE Specialist Neurologist

DR. NIRESHA MUDALY Specialist Psychiatrist

of Odyssey Medical Centre

DR. SHALIN MOODLEY General Practitioner

DR. SANESHA MOODLEY General Practitioner

MICHELLE VAN DYK Physiotherapist

DR. JUSTIN HENRY Chiropractor

DR. POOBALAN PILLAY General Practitioner

MEDI RESPONSE Emergency Response Services

DR. KEVIN MICHAELS Specialist Cardiologist

DR. HARISHA KARPATH Aesthetics & General Practice

DR. KARIMI Gynaecologist & Obstetrician

SIAN SCHEEPERS Physiotherapist

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Medi Response

087 330 3911

RHEUMATOLOGY

Dr. Sanvir Sirriram 079 235 8969

NEUROLOGY

Dr. Siddi Ganie 031 539 3233

Dr. Ashleigh Bhanjan 069 714 1617

CARDIOLOGY

Dr. Kevin Michaels 069 714 1617

PATHOLOGY

PathCare Laboratory 032 946 6505

GENERAL PRACTITIONERS

Dr. Sanesha Moodley

Dr. Shalin Moodley

Dr. Poobalan Pillay 032 943 1111

DENTAL

Dr. Kevin Naidoo 067 321 3214

PSYCHIATRY

Dr. Niresha Mudaly 031 941 6871

Dr. Preleen Sookoo 082 850 1958

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Shubnum Gowrisunkar The Hydroderm and Body Clinic 066 274 7993

Dr. Ernest Muragijeyesu Medical Doctor & Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician 073 747 9082

Dr. Justin Henry Chiropractor 032 946 2829

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Sian Scheepers 032 946 2829

Michelle van Dyk 032 946 2829

GYNAECOLOGY

Dr. Karimi 083 389 6474

AESTHETICS

Dr. Harisha Karpath 032 586 3318

MEDI RESPONSE

When your life depends on it

Odyssey Medical Centre is proud to house Medi Response, a comprehensive emergency management solutions provider, specialising in the provision of topside medical support and on-location emergency medical services.

Passion, expertise, and quality drive Medi Response to deliver rapid and professional end-to-end access to definitive healthcare.

From providing emergency medical treatment and evacuating an injured employee from a remote industrial site, to keeping people at special events safe from harm, or simply attending to medical emergencies and getting a patient safely to hospital, Medi Response is an internationally reputable industry leader in the management and supply of emergency service solutions.

Medi Response is always ready to help when your life depends on it.

087 330 3911

HEALTHCARE HEROES

Medi Response and Gift of the Givers’ Search and Rescue Interventions in Turkey and Syria

Following the tragic earthquake that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians in Turkey and Syria, Medi Response and Gift of the Givers’ search and rescue members teamed up with a local Turkish search and rescue unit to conduct a rigorous search through a collapsed ten storey building.

Despite intense fatigue and dangerous environmental conditions, the teams worked cohesively and methodically in their efforts to locate trapped persons, making use of heavy machinery, specialised SAR and access equipment, K9’s as well as sensitive sonar, thermal and audio equipment. Unfortunately, survivors are yet to be located on this particular site.

Paul Herbst, Regional Director at Medi Response KwaZulu-Natal , confirmed that Medi Response members will be assigned new taskings, as their current tasking is concluded

and the area is confirmed as cleared. Our thoughts remain with all those affected, and we salute our selfless search and rescue heroes for their rapid, lifesaving healthcare support.

DR. SANVIR SIRRIRAM

We recently sat down with Dr Sanvir Sirriram, one of KwaZulu-Natal’s leading Rheumatologists and Specialist Physicians. Passionate about restoring dignity and improving quality of life for his patients, Dr Sirriram is determined to shine a much needed spotlight on all things Rheumatology.

Q) What inspired you to pursue medicine? Becoming a doctor was a calling for me. I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else. My main purpose in life is to help people.

Q) Why did you choose to specialise in Rheumatology?

I chose Rheumatology specifically because I wanted to give people a better quality of life. Rheumatology does not just affect the individual patient - it affects the entire family/ household who takes care of them. I find it very fulfilling to make such a significant impact in so many lives.

Q) What do you feel makes you a good doctor?

1) Communication is very important to me. I spend quality time with my patients and I don’t rush my consultations.

2) I truly listen to my patients and I have a lot of empathy for what they are experiencing.

3) I develop lifelong relationships with my patients. I am aware of the chronic pain they experience, and I am committed to treating them.

Q) What’s one thing you wish you could change about the medical landscape in South Africa?

I feel that we have become very technologydriven and investigation based. However, my discipline is very clinical, meaning that I examine patients - which unfortunately is becoming a dying skill. In a South African context, where not all patients are financially equipped to undergo costly investigations, I believe that doctors need to be clinically sound in order to treat patients appropriately and effectively.

BECOMING A DOCTOR WAS A CALLING FOR ME. I COULDN’T PICTURE MYSELF DOING ANYTHING ELSE

Q) What do you wish people knew about Rheumatology?

That it exists! There are very few Rheumatologists in South Africa, and even less in KwaZulu-Natal specifically.

Due to the lack of awareness around Rheumatology, patients usually end up having to see multiple doctors before being referred to a relevant Rheumatologist.

Q) Why did you choose to position your practice at the Odyssey Medical Centre?

I love the central location and the fact that I have medical labs at my disposal here, which is a huge time-saver for my patients.

There are multiple disciplines and specialists around me, which enables a multi-disciplinary approach to patient management.

CONDITIONS THAT ARE TREATED BY A RHEUMATOLOGIST

Joint Pain (Arthritis)

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Auto-Immune Disorders

Systemic Lupus

Erythematosus (SLE) Gout

Sero-negative Spondyloarthritis

Osteoarthritis

HIV-associated Arthropathy

Regional Pain Syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Sjogren’s Syndrome

Inflammatory Myopathy

Systemic Sclerosis

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD)

Vasculitis

FUN FACTS

Q) What are some of your favourite hobbies? Travelling, painting and fitness.

Q) How realistic are medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy?

It’s not a true reflection and unfortunately a lot of doctors have made life decisions after being misled by programmes like ER and Grey’s Anatomy.

Q) What’s your go-to foodie spot in Ballito? The Dumpling Bar (Shop 3, Lozi Park, Phezulu Dr, Ballito).

Q) What are your favourite heart-healthy snacks?

Avocados, nuts and berries.

Eat your heart out at ELEVATION CAFE’

Ballito’s number one spot for heart-healthy indulgence.

On our quest to better health, we scoured the shores of Ballito to find a truly unique cafe’ that serves good food, good coffee and good vibes in abundance!

Luckily, we didn’t have to look too far - conveniently located at The Odyssey Mall in Ballito, Elevation Cafe’ is a haven for food lovers and health enthusiasts alike. We had the privilege of chatting to David de Vries, owner and co-founder of Elevation Cafe’...

Q) Tell us a little about Elevation Cafe’

We like to think of Elevation Cafe’ as “your kitchen away from home.” We were inspired to elevate the community with healthy food, good coffee and beautiful vibes, hence our slogan “Elevate your day at Elevation Cafe’.”

Q) What type of food and drinks do you serve?

We currently offer a wide variety of delicious hearthealthy smoothies, toasties, burgers and desserts. We strive to serve healthy meals so that our customers leave Elevation Cafe’ feeling nourished and elevated rather than bloated or lethargic.

Q) What makes Elevation Cafe’ unique?

1) The vibe - we play a lot of 80s music and our customers absolutely love it!

2) The coffee - every single member of our staff is a qualified barista.

3) The staff - everything that comes out of our kitchen is absolutely divine because of the genuine love and passion that goes into it.

Q) Do you offer delivery?

Yes! We currently deliver to Odyssey Medical Centre, Ashton International College and a variety of retail stores within The Odyssey Mall.

Our top 3 heart-healthy picks from Elevation Cafe’:

1) Tropical Health Smoothie: Granadilla, orange, mango, pineapple, banana, chia seeds and coconut milk.

2) Overnight Oats: Rolled oats, chia seeds, vanilla essence, coconut cream, topped with granola, fruit, nut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

3) The Elevation Toastie: Chicken and mayo, avocado, tomato and lettuce on your choice of bread.

Be sure to pop into Elevation Cafe’ for your heart-healthy fix!

The Odyssey Mall, 1 Simbithi Dr, Ballito, Dolphin Coast, 4392.

CUPID’S GUIDE TO CARDIO

With the month of love in full swing, we’ve rounded up our top tips to get your heart pumping, because nothing says “I love you” quite like cardio!

Cardiovascular health refers to the overall health of the heart and blood vessels, including the prevention of diseases and conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Maintaining good cardiovascular health involves consistent lifestyle choices such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity and stress management.

Here’s 4 ways to get your heart pumping and give your body the love it deserves:

Activities like running, cycling, swimming, and brisk walking increase heart rate and breathing for an extended period of time, which can improve cardiovascular endurance.

Alternating short bursts of intense activity with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise, HIIT can be a highly effective way to boost cardiovascular fitness.

Lifting weights, using resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises such as push-ups and squats can increase heart rate and improve cardiovascular health.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare practitioner before starting a new exercise programme, especially if you have any existing medical conditions.

Playing sports like volleyball, soccer, or hockey can provide a cardiovascular workout while also improving coordination, balance, and teamwork skills.

Refer to our directory on page 4 to find the right doctor for you.

1. AEROBIC EXERCISE

2. HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT)

3. RESISTANCE TRAINING

4. TEAM SPORTS

MADE WITH LOVE

This easy air fryer salmon recipe is the perfect heart healthy meal to impress your loved ones on Valentine’s Day.

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp mixed herbs, 1 tsp paprika or chilli flakes, 1 finely chopped garlic clove, 2 salmon fillets (skin on or removed), half a table spoon of olive oil with cooked tenderstem broccoli and grains such as quinoa or brown rice, to serve. lemon wedges and parsley to garnish.

STEP 1

Combine the salt, pepper, mixed herbs, paprika/ chilli flakes and garlic in a bowl. Rub each salmon fillet with a little olive oil and coat in the spice seasoning.

STEP 2

Place seasoned salmon fillets into the lined air fryer basket and cook at 180 degrees celsius for 8-10 mins, until cooked through.

STEP 3

Plate your salmon fillet on a bed of brown rice and tenderstem broccoli. Garnish with parsley and a lemon wedge on the side.