Esteemed provincial health expert dies after short illness

The public paid tribute to Prof Eddie Mhlanga, who passed away on Saturday February 5 at the age of 68 following a short illness. He was a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Mpumalanga Department of Health, and contributed hugely to healthcare equality, in particular, in women’s health.

Mhlanga will be remembered for being an avid advocate of women’s reproductive and abortion rights. He was instrumental in helping implement the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996). He resided in Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge.

The provincial MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, paid homage to this late professor. “Doctors are one of the most inspiring figures of society and their efforts should be celebrated every day. Thank you for your selfless service towards humanity. May his soul rest in eternal peace. May God be with the family during this trying time,” she said. He was an alumnus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a former head of department of obstetrics and gynaecology.

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At the time of his death, he was the chairperson of the National Committee on the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths and recently vacated the post of provincial specialist in Mpumalanga. Dr Prudence Buthelezi, a health practitioner and co-founder of the National Health Care Professionals Association, said his death had left her shattered.

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He was so passionate about mother and child morbidity and mortality. He did so much for students, patients and entire communities, especially poor ones. In our last phone call, he said he was fine. Little did I know this would be my last conversation with him.” In her message to him she shared the plans they had had. “You left me in tears, heartbroken, as we had planned so much for February 12, as you were going to be the first professor to honour and be my guest on our Ezempilo/Zwamutakalo talk show. Lala ngokuthula, my prof, till we meet again.”

By the time of going to press, the details of his funeral arrangements were not yet known.