02/09/2025
This morning, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital management team together with the HIFU Unit for Fibroid Treatment, hosted a delegation from the Chongqing Municipal Government of China. The visit represents both a national and continental benchmark, while strengthening bilateral health relations in line with broader national and provincial health diplomacy initiatives.
The High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has demonstrated outstanding clinical outcomes and remains the only facility of its kind in South Africa.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive treatment for uterine fibroids. It works by directing high-intensity ultrasound waves from outside the body onto the fibroids in the uterus. These waves generate localized high temperatures at the targeted fibroid tissue, causing thermal coagulation and destruction of the fibroid cells without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.
Over time, the body naturally absorbs and eliminates the damaged fibroid cells, leading to a reduction in fibroid size and an improvement in symptoms. The procedure is highly precise, does not require surgical incisions or general anesthesia, preserves the uterus, and generally allows for a faster recovery compared to traditional surgery.
