Six New Paediatricians Graduate from UKZN

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Distinguished paediatric pulmonologist Professor Refiloe Masekela congratulated six new paediatricians who graduated from her Discipline at UKZN. 

The Master of Medicine (MMed) graduates were Dr Lindokuhle Mahlase, Dr Lethokuhle Mkhize, Dr Pervashni Padayachee, Dr Kerusha Reddy, Dr Tanita van Niekerk and Dr Noluthando Zwane. 

Masekela, who is Head of UKZN’s Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: ‘The Paediatrics Registrar training programme spans over four years and is known for its intensity, marked by a rigorous schedule and a high clinical workload. It challenges trainees both mentally and physically, requiring resilience, dedication and a deep commitment to paediatric care. 

‘Throughout the programme registrars are expected to maintain a high standard of clinical performance while also contributing to research,’ she said. ‘The research projects undertaken are not only academically significant but also aim to drive meaningful change in clinical practice. The research topics in the MMed theses cover a broad spectrum, including infectious diseases, pulmonology, nephrology and haematology, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive foundation in paediatrics.’ 

Mahlase’s dissertation documented kidney replacement therapy in children at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, while Mkhize’s was a cohort study evaluation of spirometric reference equations for detecting obstructive airways disease in South African children. 

Also, in a cohort study but which was observed retrospectively, Padayachee investigated the impact of chlorhexidine baths with emollient on neonatal sepsis at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, while Reddy undertook a sub-study of the CAP016 PrEP study, focusing on bone mineral density in breastfeeding infants. 

“The Definition, Characteristics and Outcome of and Resource Allocation to Long-Stay Patients in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Pietermaritzburg”, was the title of van Niekerk’s dissertation. 

Zwane investigated secondary treatments for paediatric patients with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

The studies were supervised by various esteemed academics in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health. 

Masekela said: ‘Congratulations to the newly qualified paediatricians on reaching this important milestone. Your hard work and perseverance have paid off, and we wish you all the best as you move forward in your careers. May you continue to grow, inspire and make a lasting impact in the lives of children and their families.’ 

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini