Age is nothing but a number
Dr Nqobile Manzini plans to become a paediatric cardio-thoracic surgeon
AT only 23, Nqobile Manzini is a qualified medical doctor from Ngwelezane in Empangeni – and is fast making a name for herself.
This ‘God fearing’ young woman is currently serving her medical internship at Stanger Hospital, rotating in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Raised by a single parent, Nqobile always wanted to be a doctor.
‘The thought of making a lifelong difference in someone else’s life just fascinated me, and still does’, says Nqobile.
Through her hard work, perseverance and support from her mother, her dream came true.
Nqobile is also a motivational speaker invited from time to time to speak at the University of KZN, churches and schools and is also involved in clinical research.
Last year her paper on trauma research was submitted to the University of Stellenbosch, placing her on top in the Pfizer Young Researcher competition at UKZN and she was selected to represent the university in the nationals.
‘I am currently working on another project of locally advanced colorectal cancer under the supervision of Professor Madiba from UKZN’s Department of Surgery’.
In her line of work she deals with many teenage pregnancies. Almost 60% of her patients are mothers aged 20 or younger .
‘Throughout my internship the most challenging cases I’ve seen is the high rate of malnutrition in babies born to teenage mothers. These young mothers do not breastfeed and leave their babies with someone when they go back to school.’
Other common cases include maternal death, usually in teenage mothers who suffer from pregnancy induced hypertension and do not seek medical help early in their pregnancy. This leads to these young mothers dying after childbirth or their babies dying.
‘I really plead with the younger generation to first finish school, get into a profession and then think about having children, preferably after marriage’.
She goes through each day with her belief – ‘I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
The young dynamo plans to become a paediatric cardio-thoracic surgeon and, of course, ‘every girls dream of meeting the love of my life and have a family. I love family, and the chaos and joy it brings with it is priceless’, says a beaming Nqobile with a big smile.
