GEMS recognises Mbombela doctor for her hard work
Dr Prudence Buthelezi is active in the community and plays various roles in the communities of Mpumalanga. Read more about her here.
A well-known award-winning health practitioner, author, producer of the Ezempilo/Dza Mutakalo Talk Show and co-founder of the National Health Care Professionals Association has received yet another award for her contributions to the health sector.
Dr Prudence Buthelezi, best known as Dr Pru from Mbombela, is the recipient of the 2024 Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) Recognition Award.
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It was awarded to her at the 28th KwaZulu-Natal Doctors Health Coalition’s (KZN DHC) Annual Medical Conference Awards gala dinner at the Coastlands Conference Centre on August 3.
The medical scheme has established a strategic partnership with the KZN DHC, and as a result of this partnership, the GEMS has been an integral part of the annual KZN DHC Conference for several years.
According to the GEMS, the award was presented to Buthelezi in recognition of the remarkable role she had played in creating value for GEMS members and the community at large, advancing patientcentred care in the community and visionary leadership.
Buthelezi is active in the community and is well known for the impact she makes.
She started an association called National Healthcare Professionals in 2016, which assists healthcare professionals in the battles they face. She was one of 25 women who were honoured during the 2019 Influential Women of the Year Awards. She has a health talk show and her aim is to connect with the public through their indigenous languages. Through her book, titled Fortitude, she wants to encourage caregivers of people with disabilities.
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Speaking about receiving the recognition from the GEMS, she said she didn’t expect it, looking at her past with the medical scheme.
“I am the first doctor from the National Healthcare Professionals to fight with medical aid; the fight was against exploitation and investigation on racism.” Buthelezi said she was happy to see that she was honoured and recognised for her work.
