“I can tell from the representation in this room that everybody celebrates this moment with you,” announced Richards Bay Medical Institute (RBMI) Hospital Manager Eugene Anthony, addressing Dr Nonhlanhla Cebekulu, Dr Mjabulelwa Zondi and Dr Makhosini Dlamini at the auspicious opening of their new practice – the North Coast Oncology centre.

With the expertise of a specialist surgeon and oncologists, an on-site chemotherapy suite, and access to the Richards Bay Medical Institute (RBMI) radiation facilities not even 500m away, the centre offers a unique coming-together of gynaecology and oncology specialist services and expertise under one roof.

The North Coast Oncology facility has come to life through a proud collaboration with Joint Medical Holdings (JMH) – ‘titans of the healthcare community’ – and the Richards Bay Medical Institute (also part of the JMH Group).

Elegant opening

On Thursday, 3 September, the centre’s opening was officially marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an elegant event, giving local medical professionals a hearty welcome to the new facility in the heart of Richards Bay, and a chance to dress to the nines.

“This day marks a milestone for the Zululand region,” said Joint Medical Holdings’ (JMH) New Business Development Manager Dharmendra Parekh, at the momentous opening of the North Coast Oncology centre.

The centre, like JMH’s other alliances, has one aim – ‘cost-effective, quality care for all patients’, said JMH Chairman Dr Ramesh Bhoola.

Fondly referred to as ‘the three musketeers’ throughout the evening, the centre is headed by three in-house specialists and co-directors: Dr Nonhlanhla Cebekulu, Dr Mjabulelwa Zondi and Dr Makhosini Dlamini.

“It’s a great honour to see so many GPs here – the GPs are going to create the synergy for you [North Coast Oncology],” said JMH Group CFO Vijay Misra.

“This centre opening is a culmination of planning and putting a series of dimensions together,” said Mr Ponnusamy Rajaruthnam. He also complimented RBMI and North Coast Oncology on the opening of the well-needed establishment, pointing out the great benefits it will bring to the oncology community.

Multidisciplinary oncological care

“The core of our practice is multidisciplinary care – bringing prongs of treatment together,” said Dr Dlamini. “We work closely with our patients too, we work as a collective,” he continued.

Dr Zondi summed up the unique benefit that North Coast Oncology offers, saying the different experiences and visions offered by the various specialists allow them to eliminate each other’s blind spots and create a space to truly determine what is in the best interests of their patients.

Dr Cebekulu touched on one of the core principles leading the centre – specialised and compassionate care closer to home for the Zululand community.

“What motivates us most is the community we serve, and that we will be able to communicate with and counsel them in a way they can understand,” she said.

Wrapping up the main speeches of the evening, Dr Cebekulu gave a toast of gratitude to the JMH Group and RBMI for ‘inviting them in’ with their vision for the centre.

“We look forward to the collaborations we are going to be embarking on,” she shared.

Scroll down to see a gallery from the evening.

Meet your specialists

Dr Nonhlanhla Cebekulu

Esteemed clinical and radiation oncologist, Dr Cebekulu followed up her undergraduate degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal medical school with an internship and community service at Ngwelezana Hospital, where she discovered her passion for oncology.

After receiving her oncology training through a fellowship at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, she spent almost five years at the specialist Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, obtaining her Master’s degree in Medicine in Radiation and Oncology through Wits.

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Clinical and radiation oncology across common adult malignancies
• Multidisciplinary treatment planning
• Patient education and shared decision-making

Dr Mjabulelwa Zondi

Specialist clinical and radiation oncologist, Dr Zondi obtained his undergrad medical degree through Wits University.

After experience in multiple medical institutions including time in the Internal Medicine and ENT department of Greys Hospital in his home town of Pietermaritzburg, Dr Zondi completed his Masters in Medicine in Radiation and Oncology and a FC Rad Onc (SA) fellowship.

Practicing in oncology since 2017, Dr Zondi is also Head of the Clinical Unit for the oncology department at Ngwelezana/ Queen Nandi Regional Hospital.

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Systemic and radiation therapy
• Community cancer awareness and outreach
• Breast and prostate cancer education

Dr Makhosini Dlamini

A specialist in obstetrics & gynaecology and a gynaecological oncologist, Dr Makhosini Dlamini completed his undergraduate degree at Wits in 2000, followed by his community service in Kimberly, and a fellowship for obstetricians and gynaecologists at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

His experience also includes time at both Greys Hospital and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Pietermaritzburg and Durban respectively.

Dr Dlamini has been Head of the Clinical Unit of Gynaecological Oncology at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital since 2014.

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Surgical management of gynaecological cancers
• Cervical, ovarian, endometrial and vulvar cancers
• Screening and prevention pathways

Opening evening gallery