Discovery South Africa

Professor Nqoba Tsabedze: A podcast addressing the impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system

Professor Tsabedze is Academic Head of the Division of Cardiology of the University of the Witwatersrand. He is also the Clinical Head of the Division of Cardiology at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). He is an executive member of the Heart Failure Society of South Africa (HEFSSA), a founding member and Executive member of the South African Clinician Scientists Society and the Director of the CMJAH & Wits World Heart Day Awareness Campaign held annually. In this podcast, he unpacks the epidemiology, cardiovascular complications, viral pathology of COVID-19 and its links to the cardiovascular system and concludes with a few strong take home messages. We are particularly proud that he is also a Discovery Foundation Alumnus.

Strategist extraordinaire, Alex Fraser is a microbiologist turned venture capitalist, turned business consultant. She shares how a business plan should be both the foundation block of a start-up, but also an organic element that grows with your business. Discovery Business Insurance

Anton Ossip, Discovery Insure CEO heads up the most technologically advanced insurer in SA and beyond. He shares his insights into how the right technology can give your business the competitive edge – and how it can be a force for social good. Discovery Business Insurance

This episode of the Discovery COVID-19 podcast series has been created for all employers and employees who work in food-related businesses. Hear top advice on mitigating the risk of COVID-19 from two experts based at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases - Dr Juno Thomas, Head of the Centre for Enteric Diseases, and Dr Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani, a clinical virologist within the Centre for HIV & STIs. “Staff and customers need to understand how COVID‑19 spreads and how they can protect themselves from being infected,” says Dr Haeri Mazanderani. Dr Thomas adds that the risk of contracting the COVID‑19 virus within the food industry is not from consuming prepared food, but from contact with environmental surfaces and with other people, be they fellow customers or employees. Find out all you need to know. COVID-19 and the food industry .pdf — PDF (26.9 KB)

A must-listen podcast for anyone who is struggling to cope at this time! Zamo Mbele, a clinical psychologist and board member at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group – SADAG brings profound insight into the ways in which the experience of the pandemic and also contracting COVID-19 can result in trauma that develops into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a podcast that every one of us should listen to, Zamo speaks to the trauma that might be experienced by people of all ages, as well as by frontline healthcare workers. He explores the emotions we feel at this time and reminds us how critical it is to be taking care of our mental health at this time. Zamo Mbele PTSD and COVID-19 Transcript.pdf — PDF (54.1 KB)

Medicine is a stressful profession under normal circumstances. Medical personnel are even more at risk of burnout so under crisis conditions such as during a pandemic. Psychotherapist Louisa Niehaus, looks at how healthcare professionals can cope during the time of extreme anxiety and uncertainty brought by COVID-19. This is a time in which the demands of the work can lead to exhaustion, cynicism and perceived inefficiency. Caring for patients who are sick and deteriorating can be very stressful and deeply saddening. Louisa shares insight into acute stress reactions and how doctors can help themselves through the present and future reality.

As the weeks of stay-at-home orders and school closures continue nationwide, parents are questioning whether isolation measures and physical distancing are doing lasting damage to their kids’ emotional development. Clinical psychologist, Candice Cowen, considers the positives and negatives of remote learning and children’s mental health in general during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also explores how parents can best support their children through learning from home until their return to school.

COVID-19 has facilitated dramatic changes in the way we work. Psychologist James Gower has extensive experience in employee wellness programs. He shares insights for every employee and employer into the pros and cons of remote or in-office work, going forward. What lessons have we learned from the flexibility that has been required, during lockdown? Remote employees have avoided long commutes and found more time to use productively. We have removed the distractions typical of an open-plan office and meetings now need to be more carefully considered. However, there are also challenges at hand and the changing world of work require adaptability on all our parts. How should we navigate this? James Gower Employee Wellbeing during COVID-19 transcript.pdf — PDF (43.4 KB)

Mindful eating is more than a list of tips – it’s a lifestyle. But practical tips sure help! Gain behavioural insight and strategies you can start applying today.

Join Vitality dietitian Terry Harris as she shares fresh ideas on delicious healthy meals and snacks that will stave off the hunger and boost your immune system.