Marais Steyn says his job makes a difference on a daily basis
“Being a tissue procurement officer is both challenging and extremely satisfying. The donation from one tissue donor can benefit up to 50 people,” explains Marais Steyn, a procurement officer for the past 15 years.
Steyn heads up the CTE’s (Centre for Tissue Engineering) team of three co-ordinators and four retrieval officers, who work nationally to ensure the efficient retrieval of tissue.
With a broad grin he shares how he is a psychologist, sociologist and pro- curement officer all at the same time. “It is all in a day’s work. Humanity, sympathy, empathy — and of course extreme professionalism — are probably the most important qualities for a procurement officer. The initial contact with the bereaved family is often very stressful and it takes a special, well-trained kind of person to work with them in a sympathetic and professional way.
“One of the pillars on which the CTE stands is respect and dignity for the donor and their family. Another pillar is the close working relationship between the procurement officers and the co-ordinators. When the CTE is notified of the passing of a person, the co-ordinator is usually the first to speak to the family about the possibility of donation. At this time, the donation possibilities and process will be explained to the family, and written consent must be obtained before the retrieval officers step in to commence with the process of procuring organs and tissue. In the event that the family does not agree to the donation, we handle the situation in such a manner that they still experience it in a positive way.”
Steyn adds that the body of every donor is treated with the utmost respect at all times. “The donation of organs, tissue and bone is such a life-changing, altruistic decision and I have immense respect for every person and family who made the decision to make a difference in the lives of others in this way.” Once the tissue, for which consent has been given, is retrieved from the donor body, the retrieval site is restored with the help of a prosthetic device and neatly closed with sutures. This enables the funeral home to prepare the donor for the funeral service, and the family can still choose to have an open casket and viewing of their loved one.
What is the most satisfying part of your job?
The CTE provides a wide range of allografts (tissue graft from donors) to hospitals and specialists at an affordable rate, says Steyn, which means that more South Africans have access to life-changing treatment. These include bone allografts for orthopaedic purposes; spinal fusions; dental work; maxilla facial procedures to repair trauma to the face; tendons, which are often used to repair sport injuries; corneas; and skin, which is commonly used to treat burn victims.
“The feedback from doctors and hospitals and even tissue recipients on the success of skin or cornea transplants — or the successful implantation of a bone allograft — makes the job worth it every time. It makes me realise time and again that I can, and do, make a difference every day of my life.”