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Women health professionals share their expertise this Women’s Month.
As South Africa marks Women’s Month, City Press sat down with women healthcare professionals, who have made it their mission to ensure that women’s health gets the attention it deserves. They opened up about the need for women to take charge of their health.
Orthopaedic surgeon and multi-faceted medical health expert Dr Santa-Marie Venter, who holds multiple qualifications, including an MMed in orthopaedics from the University of Cape Town, a bachelor of medicine and surgery, a MSc in sports medicine from the University of Pretoria and a fellowship from the College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of SA, said:
I am a testament to the value of lifelong learning and the power of education to equip medical practitioners with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to serve the needs of patients in an evolving world.
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Orthopedics are specialists who deal with treating bones and muscles.
The medic is currently pursuing an MBA in healthcare management – a qualification she deems necessary for one day establishing her own practice, making good business decisions, and contributing to the future of South Africa’s healthcare sector.
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She advises women to learn to connect with their bodies more.
“When our bodies speak to us, we need to learn how to listen to them. When warning signs arise, don’t postpone seeking medical help. Put yourself first and prioritise your physical wellbeing. This is the only way to become the healthy, strong, and highly functional superwoman you were born to be.
When a woman turns 30, I recommend they undergo an annual bone density testing, coupled with the appropriate bisphosphonate therapy, calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
These interventions, she says, should become part of one’s orthopaedic healthcare regime.
Also highlighting her expert advice in honour of Women’s Month is Dr Anusha Naidoo, an obstetrician, gynaecologist and gynaecological oncologist.
Naidoo, who completed her medical degree at the University of Stellenbosch in 2004 and subsequently spent several years working in different health facilities in the Eastern Cape, now works at Mediclinic Sandton.
She has a diploma in obstetrics, a specialist degree in obstetrics and gynaecology from the University of Pretoria, and qualified as a sub-specialist in gynaecological oncology. She recently completed a master of philosophy degree in gynaecological oncology from the University of Pretoria.
Naidoo said:
It was during the time spent in the Eastern Cape that I discovered the need for cultural awareness and sensitivity in dealing with the issues that arise from the disparity in access to quality healthcare between rural and urban settings. During these formative years, I also identified a need for more experienced gynaecological oncology surgeons and decided to enhance my skill set and training in this arena. Since then, I have been a passionate advocate for women’s health, contributing to various medical fields, both theoretically and practically.
She urges women to take their obstetric and gynaecological health seriously. Women need to have six-week, post-partum check-ups, which include a routine ultrasound and a pap smear. This is particularly important given that cancer can co-exist with pregnancy.
Furthermore, she says annual visits to the gynaecologist are essential: “These routine gynaecological screenings should start from when you become sexually active up to and after menopause, unless otherwise indicated. When you prioritise your health as a woman, you are, by definition, looking after the health of your dependents, including your children, partners, parents and the extended community.”
Echoing her sentiments is Dr Sarah Nietz, who is currently working at Mediclinic Morningside and oversees a breast care centre department. As a specialist breast surgeon, Dr Nietz has extensive experience in the field and is highly regarded for making an important contribution to breast cancer prevention and treatment.
With breast cancer being the most commonly found among South African women, Dr Nietz and her colleagues have dedicated a substantial amount of time and resources to enhancing and improving related surgical procedures.
Nietz said:
While medical technologies have indeed paved the way for better service provision in the industry, women still have a responsibility to play an active role in the early detection of breast cancer.
Dr Nietz encourages all women to regularly conduct self-examinations to check for any lumps or other breast irregularities, adding: “As a specialist surgeon, my message to all women would be to let go of fear and hold on to hope. Things are changing every day in the realm of breast cancer treatment and are changing for the better. If detected early, this cancer is manageable.”
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