The University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) has introduced South Africa’s largest computed tomography (CT) scanner: the Siemens Somatom Confidence 64 Slice CT scanner with sliding gantry. This addition promises a significant advancement in veterinary training and research at UP.
A CT scanner is a medical imaging device that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. The CT scanner is considered to be a valuable diagnostic tool for hospitals to have in their arsenal.
Prof. Themba Mosia, UP’s Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal, lauded the new scanner’s ability to offer precise diagnoses efficiently. “We are grateful to the Roy McAlpine Charitable Foundation for facilitating the acquisition of this cutting-edge technology,” noted Prof. Mosia. This foundation donated R13 million to purchase the machine.
With regards to the Roy McAlpine Charitable Foundation, founder Roy McAlpine stated, “In [establishing] this foundation, my aim was, and remains, to give something back.” He added, “Protecting our environment and wildlife for future generations cannot be underestimated.”
This milestone underscores UP’s rich legacy of veterinary education since 1920. The acquisition of this advanced technology ensures that UP remains at the forefront of veterinary care and education in South Africa, which includes meeting the evolving needs of the agricultural and companion animal sectors.
