Soaring success for surgeons

THE largest group of young surgeons recently passed their surgery primaries at Ngwelezana Hospital.

Under the guidance of Head of Clinic Unit: General Surgery, Dr Shailen Sham, and Clinical Head: General Surgery, Burns & Plastics, Dr Maheshwar Naidoo, the group of six has successfully completed the syllabus in human anatomy, physiology, pathology, embryology and statistics.

‘Dr Sham developed a teaching programme to aid young surgeons to learn and revise the entire syllabus required for preparation of their examinations,’ said Dr Naidoo.

‘There are two exam sittings per annum. Six doctors have passed the first sitting and there are at least four candidates who will sit in August.

‘To date, Dr Sham’s students have excelled with more than a 90% average pass rate.’

‘However, the young doctors are required to return to the big cities where the medical schools and full academic hospitals are, so as to complete their training.

‘Ngwelezana is only accredited for one year of training for specialists in surgery and orthopaedics. Therefore, after they obtain their primary exams, the young doctors leave Ngwelezana to complete their specialist training in Durban, Gauteng or Cape Town.

Currently there are only two general surgeons and four orthopaedic surgeons at the hospital.

‘We hope the young surgeons will consider returning to Ngwelezana as surgeons once they qualify.

‘There are plans to develop Ngwelezana Hospital into a rural training platform for medical students. In a few years’ time, we may see a satellite medical school campus developing in the city with Ngwelezana Hospital as the main tertiary hospital.

‘This is an exciting prospect which will attract more doctors and specialists to our area, obviously to the benefit of our community.’ Dr Naidoo said.

Infrastructure at Ngwelezana Hospital is already being upgraded with a new 192-bed ward complex and an eight operating theatre complex being developed.

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