Top woman doc to head cardiothoracic dept
The country's first African female cardiothoracic surgeon is to head up a cardiothoracic department in Limpopo.
This was announced during a meeting with female doctors at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital along with Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba to commemorate International Women’s Day on 8 March.
This was a gathering of beautiful and highly qualified women who play a pivotal role in the function of Limpopo’s health sector. Ramathuba expressed how impossible it is to celebrate the women of today without looking back at the efforts of women like Charlotte Maxeke, who paved the way in a time when it seemed impossible.
“We love Mama Charlotte Maxeke, and thus we prioritise giving capable women opportunities. We are going to make sure as a department that we get more women into managerial positions,” she said.
She further challenged the women that were present to take other young women with potential under their wings to grow the network of women in leadership positions. She praised women for not being afraid of transformation and tackling challenges head on to find solutions.
In the effort to have more women in leadership positions in the health sector, the Pietersburg-Mankweng Hospital Complex welcomed Dr Lindiwe Sidali, South Africa’s first African female cardiothoracic surgeon.
Sidali who started on 1 March is heading the cardiothoracic department and she says it is going well thus far. Sidali stated that she agreed to come to Limpopo because she needed a new challenge. Where she was previously was comfortable, hence she accepted the challenge of coming to build a cardiothoracic department for the people of Limpopo.
“I promise to try by all means to build you a working cardiothoracic department as long as you also promise to help and support me,” she said.
Ramathuba said that she is honoured to have Sidali in our midst. “It was not an easy task convincing Dr Sidali to come to Limpopo; I am humbled that she chose my province and my department to work with, considering all the options she had in the world. She has a rural background so she understands the plight of the poverty stricken areas,” she said.
