Expectant mothers from around Nelson Mandela Bay can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they are in well-trained hands after Dora Nginza Hospital welcomed three new specialist gynaecologists earlier in August.
Trained over four years and after two major exams, the three doctors bring the total number of gynaecologists at the Zwide-based medical facility to 16, with super-specialist professor Mfundo Mabenge at the helm.
Endless sleepless nights and intense training saw doctors Lunga Magaga, Simphiwe Made and Mfesane Qobo joining Dr Moses Mandaha as specialists in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics.
Mandaha completed his fellowship exams in October 2019, and his three counterparts concluded their studies during Women’s Month.
Mabenge said it was very important not only for Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape to welcome new gynaecology specialists into the public sector, but for the country too.
“There are very few specialist gynaecologists in SA and in Port Elizabeth, and a lot of them do not do deliveries, [so] it is very important for us to train more specialists.
“We need gynaecologists to look after our ladies,” Mabenge said.
During their training, Magaga, Made and Qobo learnt the ropes of performing operations, proper ways of conducting examinations, how to diagnose correctly and delivering babies.
Mabenge said what was significant about the trio’s accomplishments was that all three were “academically home-grown” in that they had been trained at Dora Nginza and not elsewhere in the country.
“Previously this training would happen outside Port Elizabeth and that meant when people go out to train they don’t always come back,” Mabenge said.
Made, 55, said: “It wasn’t easy. There was a lot of work combined with studying, which meant many sleepless nights.
“It was quite a journey, which I wouldn’t replace.”
Made, who previously worked in the private sector, said he had decided to make the move into the public sector after being robbed twice at gunpoint.
“I decided to take refuge in a public hospital,” Made said.
Magaga, 34, originally from Mthatha, said that after working as a general practitioner for a year had been told about the training offered at Dora Nginza and decided to join the hospital.
“I heard very good things about the training here and that is why I decided to join.
“It is unique, which piqued my interest,” Magaga said.
Qobo, 36, said the past four years had been tough with many sleepless nights but in the end he was happy to have specialised in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics.
“I didn’t want to be a bench-warmer and wanted to specialise in something,” Qobo said.
Mandaha, 35, said it had never been his intention to specialise in gynaecology and obstetrics but when he came to work at Dora Nginza his outlook had changed.
“It is exciting times to be trained here. I keep being inspired to do more,” Mandaha said.
All four specialists have and will continue to train undergraduates for Walter Sisulu University, which gives them full accreditation for training at Dora Nginza.
“We need them here and I am very confident and know that they are trained well,” Mabenge said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.