Celebrating 60 Years of Cardiothoracic Surgery in KZN

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UKZN’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Discipline celebrated its milestone 60^th anniversary on 31 May!

Based at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, the discipline is the only public sector unit providing specialist cardiothoracic surgical care in KwaZulu-Natal and the northern part of the Eastern Cape Province. It is also the only academic and training unit within the province and is attached to the University’s Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.

Cardiothoracic surgeons specialise in surgical procedures of the heart, lungs and other organs within the chest cavity.

Unit Head Dr Raj Madansein traced some of the history of the discipline: ‘Professor Ben le Roux arrived in Durban on 31 May, 1965 and the next day set up the Department at Wentworth Hospital. It was affiliated to the then University of Natal and was initially a sub-unit with cardiology, then a sub-department and ultimately an independent department within the division of surgery. The Department also had a clinical presence at King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex (previously King George V Hospital).’

Madansein remembered how the department was closed to private practice with a provincial injunction ending with this sentence: ‘Rich and poor alike, of all races, may be referred to your Unit by any Medical practitioner who wishes to do so. The Department has continued to grow and evolve, with trainees from this Department becoming Heads of Department both locally and internationally,’ he said.

‘The Department moved to IALCH in July 2001, which was good for patient care as its patients had the support of other disciplines on site when needed. Over the years, thoracic, adult and paediatric surgery have evolved and more complex procedures are being undertaken by its surgeons with good results. It is also home to a strong academic programme and has trained cardiothoracic surgeons who have made the department proud.

‘We have faced many challenges over the years,’ said Madansein. ‘Despite these challenges, the dedication of our staff, the support of our hospital management, the University of KwaZulu Natal and the KZN Department of Health have carried us to greater heights. Having celebrated 60 years of exemplary cardiothoracic surgery services to the people of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape we look forward to many more years of serving our patients,’ he added.

Words and photograph: Lunga Memela