Dr Hansraj Mangray Makes History as UKZN’s First PhD Graduate in Paediatric Surgery

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In a momentous milestone for both UKZN and the field of paediatric surgery in South Africa, Dr Hansraj Mangray has become the first PhD graduate in the Paediatric Surgery Discipline since the founding of UKZN in 2004. 

Born and raised in Phoenix, Durban, Mangray’s journey to academic and surgical excellence began at Earlington Secondary School. With parents who had limited formal education but a deep belief in the power of learning, he was encouraged from a young age to pursue Higher Education. The challenges he witnessed in the public healthcare system - such as waiting for many hours at clinics and sometimes not seeing a doctor at all - sparked a personal mission to serve and change the system from within. 

‘My parents instilled the value of education in us, even though they didn’t have the opportunity to study. I decided to pursue Medicine because I saw first-hand how desperate the need for care was in our communities,’ Mangray reflected. 

His professional path took a definitive turn while specialising in general surgery, where he was exposed to the sub-speciality of paediatric surgery. The experience of treating children with surgical conditions left a lasting impression. ‘There were only about 30 paediatric surgeons in the country at the time. The need was so great, and the impact of every successful operation on a child’s life was immense - I knew this was my calling,’ he said. 

Mangray’s PhD research focused on Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) for children, a technique that is less invasive and promotes faster recovery, but has been historically underutilised in South Africa due to a lack of accessible training. 

In response to this, Mangray established a local MAS training laboratory at Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. With strong support from industry partners, the lab was equipped with advanced surgical tools, allowing for high-quality training of surgeons in KwaZulu-Natal.

He didn’t stop there. Recognising the prohibitive costs of traditional simulation models, Mangray developed a novel, low-cost training technique using basic household items to simulate intra-corporeal suturing which is a critical skill in MAS. He then conducted comparative research that showed candidates trained with his simulation method outperformed those using conventional video-based techniques. 

As a result of his work, the number of MAS procedures performed on paediatric patients at Greys Hospital has steadily increased. The lab now hosts three annual courses, including an advanced MAS course attended by trainees from across South Africa. Complex procedures such as laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications and thoracoscopic oesophageal atresia repairs are now being performed and taught locally, a huge leap forward for paediatric surgical care in the country. 

Currently, Mangray is an honorary lecturer in Paediatric Surgery at UKZN and Head of the Paediatric Surgical Clinical Unit at Greys Hospital. Under the mentorship of Professor Damian Clarke, his academic journey has been one of passion, perseverance, and innovation. 

Looking ahead, Mangray plans to further his academic career with a focus on improving outcomes for paediatric surgical patients in South Africa. His goal is to transform the way children receive surgical care through evidence-based innovation, teaching and advocacy. 

Away from medicine, Mangray leads a dynamic life. He holds a black belt in karate, finds peace in fishing, and enjoys the rhythm of long-distance running. He also enjoys spending family time with his wife and two sons. These pursuits reflect the discipline and balance that have shaped his personal and professional success. 

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini