I asked him a few questions on what viewers will get to see on Carte Blanche Medical, what he aims to achieve and - since Carte Blanche serves as a lead-in to Grey's Anatomy on M-Net - whether he's familiar with the goings-on at the Seattle Grace Hospital.
Click on READ MORE below to access the full interesting interview!
It seems as if the South African health care system is sick, judged by the many stories Carte Blanche has been doing. If you have to give a rating to the South African health care system overall, what would it be?
It would be the easiest thing to show all that is wrong with health-care in our country - I don't think that is what we aim to do at Carte Blanche but rather we choose to engage robustly and meaningfully with the challenges we all face as a nation. South Africa, naturally as a developing country has a myriad of problems to contend with. Public health to be specific, is no exception. Traditionally our public health system offered the very best for very few. The Carte Blanche Making A Difference campaign has been our way of moving beyond pointing out the obvious wrongs. It has been our way of really being a conduit for a lasting and sustainable impact on an aspect of South African life that continues to affect the most marginalised among us.
Why is a show such as Carte Blanche Medical now a priority?
All over the world medical advances and breakthroughs continue to impact on millions of people. South Africa has a proud tradition of being at the very cutting edge of medical advances. As I understand it Carte Blanche Medical is not going to be a lifestyle or ''how to'' show but rather one that seeks to open a dialogue about modern medicine, available treatment options and an eye-opener about what is out there. As our traditional line goes the viewer has the right to know it all!
You're now going to be on at the same night as the new season of Grey's Anatomy – in fact, you're the lead-in! Do you watch what goes on at Seattle Grace Hospital?
To be honest with the kind of schedule I keep, it has not always been easy! Certainly there will be a kind of synergy with Grey's and it should be interesting to see what and how we would tackle things from a South African perspective.
Again it will be as one might expect from Carte Blanche, anything and everything. Certainly there will be a focus on controversial subjects but also breakthroughs and advances in medical technology. It will be thought-provoking and as ever challenge convention and leave it in the minds and perspectives of viewers to decide. I expect there will be fascinating discussions around the water fountain at the office on Tuesday mornings around the latest episode of Carte Blanche Medical!
The health care profession and the world of doctors and medical breakthroughs and heartache often comes with a lot of jargon. Are there any challenges in terms of making this relatable to ordinary viewers? How do you try and tell these often complex stories?
As we've always done. The show will not be full of jargon and in the tradition we have held these last 21 years, will be very accessible and easy to digest. That is why they hired people like me - if I can get it, so will the viewer! Ultimately Carte Blanche is a reflection of the life experience of our viewers. We are normal folks trying our best to get to grips with a dynamic world where change occurs very rapidly and we could all be left behind. Carte Blanche Medical will be that bridge medically speaking.
Obviously you're not a doctor, but at the beginning of a new year, is there any personal health advise that you have personally learned or discovered for yourself that you can tell or recommend to viewers at the beginning of 2010?
Obviously! All I can say, speaking from common-sense is that your health is your highest priority because from there all else that matters in your life, flows!
What is it that you want to accomplish with Carte Blanche Medical?
It is hard to set a bench-mark up-front - these shows have a way of determining their own destiny but if nothing else I hpoe it will lead to a more informed and conscious viewer when it comes to matters medical.
Carte Blanche Medical on Mondays at 19:00 on M-Net
The LINE-UP for the first episode tonight:
Trailblazing technology that has restored sight to people who haven't ''seen'' in years. By attaching an astonishing device to the tongue, doctors and researchers in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania have restored ''sight'' to blind patients. Carte Blanche travels to America to meet the team responsible for this breakthrough.
Presenter: Bongani Bingwa
One has to see the pictures to truly appreciate what South African doctors have, against all odds, achieved in saving Baby Hope - the smallest baby ever born in South Africa. The show has tracked her life since her birth in the Western Cape in October 2009 to tell a story of a miniscule body that has a massive spirit.
Presenter: Annika Larsen
