Karen Alexander Physiotherapist INC

Karen Alexander Physiotherapist INC Physiotherapy services offered at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital

🫀August: National Organ Donor Awareness Month🫁South Africa is a leader in the field of organ transplantation worldwide. ...
14/08/2026

🫀August: National Organ Donor Awareness Month🫁

South Africa is a leader in the field of organ transplantation worldwide. However, the increasing number of patients on the transplant waiting list underscores a major issue: the ongoing shortage of potential donors.

Questions Answered:

Who is Eligible to be an Organ/Tissue Donor?

Individuals under 70 years of age
Those in good health
People without chronic diseases that could impact the recipient(s)' health

Can I still donate organs if I have a medical condition?
Yes, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions may still qualify to donate organs, as assessments will be conducted by medical professionals.

Can I donate an organ/tissue while I am alive?
Absolutely! In certain situations, such as kidney transplants, donations often occur within families due to compatibility, which enhances the likelihood of success.

Which organs can be transplanted?

Heart
Liver
Pancreas
Kidneys
Lungs

Which tissues can be transplanted?

Corneas
Skin
Bone
Heart valves

Can I agree to donate only some organs and not others?
Yes, it’s essential to communicate with your family regarding which organs or tissues you prefer not to donate.

How long after death must the organs/tissue be removed?
Organs and tissues should be removed as soon as possible after brain death has been confirmed by two independent doctors to ensure successful transplantation.

How to Register as an Organ Donor:
You can register by:

Calling the Organ Donor Foundation toll-free at 0800 22 66 11
Registering online
Once registered, you will receive an organ donor card to keep in your wallet, along with stickers for your ID book and driver’s license to indicate your wishes in case of an emergency.

Giving Consent
The most critical step is to discuss your decision with your family, as consent from your next of kin is required for organ procurement.

For parents, written consent is necessary if they wish to allow their babies, toddlers, or teenagers under 18 to become organ donors.

We're wishing you a Happy Women's Day from all of us at KA Physio!National Women's Day celebrates and empowers women whi...
09/08/2026

We're wishing you a Happy Women's Day from all of us at KA Physio!

National Women's Day celebrates and empowers women while raising awareness of their struggles and accomplishments throughout history. It acknowledges the fight for freedom and the sacrifices made by women in South African history.

The day commemorates the 1956 march in Pretoria, where over 20,000 women protested against oppressive apartheid legislation. Led by influential figures like Lilian Ngoyi, this protest resulted in impactful petitions and a silent demonstration, ultimately leading to the establishment of National Women’s Day in 1995. This day also shines a light on ongoing issues faced by African women, including domestic violence and wage inequality. Notably, the year 2026 will mark the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 march.

Key ways it is celebrated nationwide:

Official Commemorations: The government hosts national events that include keynote speeches and live-streamed parliamentary debates to honor the legacies of activists such as Lilian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph.

Awareness and Activism: This day serves as a platform to highlight ongoing issues like gender-based violence (GBV) and wage inequality, with non-profit organizations organizing rallies, mentorship programs, and fundraising events.

Corporate & Local Initiatives: Workplaces often hold mini-celebrations, while local businesses may present special women-inspired menus, conduct donation-matching campaigns, or support women-owned suppliers.

Social and Family Gatherings: Families and friends celebrate by hosting lunches, enjoying picnics at local resorts, or taking time to express deep appreciation for the important women in their lives.

National Women’s Month: The celebration extends beyond a single day; the entire month of August is dedicated to women, featuring various health clinics, seminars, and community milestones.



Breastfeeding: A Catalyst for Equality and InclusionEnsuring that everyone has access to breastfeeding support and oppor...
07/08/2026

Breastfeeding: A Catalyst for Equality and Inclusion

Ensuring that everyone has access to breastfeeding support and opportunities is crucial, as breastfeeding acts as a powerful tool for promoting equality in society. We must prioritize providing additional assistance to vulnerable mothers to address disparities in breastfeeding and make sure no one is left behind. Engaging various stakeholders—including civil society organizations, governments, policymakers, health systems, workplaces, communities, and parents—is essential to bridging the gaps in breastfeeding inequalities and supporting those in need.

Core Objectives

The 2026 campaign aims to achieve four primary goals to improve maternal and infant health:

Track Progress: Assessing the influence of breastfeeding on alleviating poverty, ensuring food security, and enhancing infant nutrition.

Anchor Policies: Establishing robust and supportive policies and guidelines throughout the "Warm Chain" of support.

Engage & Collaborate: Fostering partnerships among civil society, government entities, healthcare professionals, and employers.

Galvanize Action: Leveraging lessons learned from the past to enhance the protection and promotion of breastfeeding.

Protecting the Warm Chain

The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes aims to protect breastfeeding and ensure ethical marketing of substitutes. To enhance monitoring and evaluation, the NetCode has created a toolkit with essential protocols and resources. Together, we can support and preserve breastfeeding.



The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)WABA is a global network comprising individuals and organizations comm...
06/08/2026

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)

WABA is a global network comprising individuals and organizations committed to advocating for, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding on a worldwide scale.

Annual Initiatives

Each year, WABA orchestrates World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), which takes place from August 1 to 7. Since 2016, their WBW campaign has been aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), known as the WBW-SDGs Campaign. Additionally, they oversee another initiative called the Warm Chain of Breastfeeding Support.

This initiative aims to create a continuum of care that supports mothers and infants from pregnancy through their early years, ensuring they receive optimal breastfeeding assistance from all sectors of society.

Goals and Impact

Through these coordinated efforts, WABA strives to highlight the crucial role of breastfeeding in improving maternal and infant health, reducing disparities, and fostering sustainable development. By cultivating a supportive environment, WABA empowers communities to encourage mothers to breastfeed, contributing to the health and well-being of future generations.

Through these focused campaigns, WABA mobilizes global action and raises awareness of the many benefits of breastfeeding, reinforcing its vital role in fostering a healthier and more equitable world.

Their Objectives:

INFORM celebrants about the theme of the year.

ANCHOR the theme within the global breastfeeding agenda.

ENGAGE with individuals and organizations for a greater impact.

GALVANISE action on the selected theme and related issues.



World Health Organization: Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthening What WorksThe theme for World Br...
05/08/2026

World Health Organization: Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthening What Works

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2026, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” emphasizes the importance of tracking progress, assessing impact, and expanding effective strategies that enhance breastfeeding outcomes. It urges governments, health systems, workplaces, communities, civil society organizations, and families to leverage successful experiences and reinforce the "Warm Chain of Support" for breastfeeding.

They Know What Works:

Skilled Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Counseling can significantly boost exclusive breastfeeding rates, with a systematic review showing a 58% increase when interventions are delivered through health facilities and communities.

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI):
The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding improve clinical care, resulting in a 45% increase in exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months and a 26% increase in continued breastfeeding.

National Mass Media Campaigns:
Media interventions combined with counseling raised exclusive breastfeeding rates by 17%.

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes:
Countries aligned with the Code show an average exclusive breastfeeding rate of 54%, compared to 24% in those without legal measures.

Paid Maternity Leave:
A review of 35 studies indicates a 52% increase in exclusive breastfeeding linked to paid maternity leave in low- and middle-income countries.

Workplace Breastfeeding Support:
Supportive workplace policies are associated with higher exclusive breastfeeding rates.



Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week🤱This week, we are honoring World Breastfeeding Week by sharing daily updates that h...
03/08/2026

Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week🤱

This week, we are honoring World Breastfeeding Week by sharing daily updates that highlight information from various campaigns and their goals.

World Breastfeeding Week occurs each year during the first week of August, with backing from WHO, UNICEF, WABA, and numerous health ministries and civil society partners. The theme for 2026 is “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”

Join us in celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and help us spread the message that every mother deserves the support necessary to give her child the best possible start in life.



✊🏾Nelson Mandela Day takes place on Saturday, 18 July 2026, with the entire month of July observed as Mandela Month. Thi...
18/07/2026

✊🏾Nelson Mandela Day takes place on Saturday, 18 July 2026, with the entire month of July observed as Mandela Month. This year’s official theme is “It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,” with South Africans called upon to dedicate 67 minutes of community service to honor Madiba's 67 years of activism.

Here is how you can get involved locally and regionally across South Africa:

Johannesburg & Surrounds: Participate in clean-up and greening initiatives, or volunteer with the Zodwa Khoza Foundation in Diepkloof, Soweto, on 18 July for community outreach, elder service, and gardening. You can also explore local history by visiting the historic Ohlange Institute in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, where Mandela cast his first democratic vote.

National Initiatives: Join the broader call to action by organizing neighborhood clean-ups, supporting local pre-schools, or donating to food security organizations like FoodForward SA.

Corporate & Group Giving: Register for or support fundraising initiatives like the Mandela Day Walk & Run to promote health and community building.



🫀During World Heart Rhythm Week🩺, Let's Join Forces to Enhance Heart HealthLet’s come together to advance the prevention...
07/06/2026

🫀During World Heart Rhythm Week🩺, Let's Join Forces to Enhance Heart Health

Let’s come together to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and management of heart rhythm disorders, promoting global heart health and supporting those impacted. In 2026, it will be essential to advocate for healthy heart rhythms through accurate information, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and support for advocacy groups to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Heart rhythm disorders can affect anyone, making it crucial to recognize the signs, seek medical assistance, and encourage loved ones to remain vigilant and schedule regular check-ups.

Community Support and Healthy Living

Support individuals with heart rhythm disorders by organizing or participating in local events that provide financial assistance and foster a sense of community. Maintain a balanced heart rhythm by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes:

Regular exercise
A nutritious diet
Stress management
Adequate rest
Let World Heart Rhythm Week 2026 inspire us to create change by raising awareness and advocating for improved care. Every small action can profoundly impact someone's life, paving the way for a healthier future for everyone.




🧦“Crazy Socks 4 Docs,”🧦 or   is an annual event aimed at increasing awareness of the mental health challenges that physi...
05/06/2026

🧦“Crazy Socks 4 Docs,”🧦 or is an annual event aimed at increasing awareness of the mental health challenges that physicians face👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️. It encourages open discussions about these important issues. Just like anyone else, doctors can encounter a range of mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, burnout, fear, and anger.

The medical profession's demands, long hours, and challenging conditions can leave doctors feeling vulnerable. Research shows that physicians have a higher su***de rate than many other professions.

In 2017, Dr. Geoff Toogood, a Victoria physician with personal experience in depression and anxiety, founded Crazy Socks for Docs. His initiative was inspired by an incident where colleagues gossiped about his mismatched socks, chewed by his puppy, underscoring the stigma surrounding mental health.

The global movement encourages people to wear colorful socks on the first Friday of June to raise awareness and promote discussions about mental health. For further details, please visit [Crazy Socks 4 Docs](https://www.crazysocks4docs.com.au).

Physiotherapists face significant mental health challenges, primarily burnout, due to high patient-to-therapist ratios, administrative burdens, and demanding physical work.

Key issues include:

Burnout: Many therapists experience burnout from long hours, lack of support, and unrealistic recovery expectations.

Compassion and Empathic Fatigue: Treating patients with chronic pain can drain emotional resources.

Moral Injury: Therapists may feel unable to provide adequate care due to institutional constraints.

Depression and Anxiety: Chronic stress can lead to clinical depression and anxiety if unaddressed.

Secondary Traumatic Stress: Witnessing patient suffering can lead to trauma-like symptoms.
Additionally, unresolved stress can result in physical issues like sleep disturbances, headaches, and weakened immunity.






Address

Netcare Sunninghill Hospital
Johannesburg
2191

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+27118032227

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