Dr. Kirthi Ramdhani u povijesti kao prvi afrički kirurg koji se kvalificirao u pedijatrijskoj i plastičnoj hirurgiji

Dr Kirthi Ramdhani has become the first African surgeon to qualify in both paediatric and plastic surgery, marking a historic milestone in the field of medicine. Based at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, the 38-year-old surgeon recently completed her Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery examinations following her qualification as a paediatric surgeon through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) in 2021. Her dual expertise has drawn widespread recognition, particularly from the Smile Foundation, where she volunteers as a specialist focused on improving the lives of children with facial differences and reconstructive conditions. Ramdhani described her achievement as the result of years of perseverance, sacrifice, and faith. She emphasized that her motivation came not from seeking accolades, but from a deep-seated commitment to providing holistic care for children. Born in Tongaat and raised in Watsonia before moving to Verulam, she reflected on how her journey unfolded through consistent effort rather than ambition for recognition. “I was simply following a question which never left me: How can I become the best possible surgeon for those who need it the most?” she explained. Her unique combination of expertise in paediatric and plastic surgery has influenced her approach to patient care. According to Ramdhani, paediatric surgery has taught her to consider the child’s overall well-being, while plastic surgery provides the means to restore not just physical appearance but also self-confidence, hope, and dignity. She argued that the distinction between the two fields is more apparent in training programs than in the real-world impact on patients. “A child born with a cleft lip does not simply need an operation. They need years of coordinated surgical care involving reconstruction, growth, function, and aesthetics.” Ramdhani completed her medical degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and undertook her internship at New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town. After returning to KZN for her community service, she worked as a medical officer in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Grey's Hospital from 2014 to 2017. During this period, she gained valuable hands-on experience, performing surgeries such as cleft lip and palate repairs. This experience led to an opportunity for specialist training in paediatric surgery, which she pursued successfully in 2021. Following her qualification in paediatric surgery, Ramdhani accepted a highly competitive training position in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at Tygerberg Hospital. Looking back, she noted that her career path developed organically, guided by a willingness to learn from every experience, both positive and challenging. “It never started out like that. It was always about taking one step at a time, navigating each experience and taking as much as I possibly could from it, the good and the bad.” Reflecting on the origins of her passion for surgery, Ramdhani credited an early childhood experience involving her younger brother, Dr Kavi Ramdhani. As a child, her brother suffered from allergies and required treatment from an ENT specialist. This encounter sparked her desire to help others in similar situations. “At that moment, I wished I could be as helpful to someone else as that ENT had been to us.” During medical school, she realized that while some conditions lacked definitive cures, surgery offered precise, measurable solutions that could transform lives. A defining moment in her career occurred in 2014 when she performed a cleft lip repair and witnessed the profound emotional impact on a mother seeing her child immediately afterward. This experience reinforced her dedication to her work and highlighted the transformative power of surgical intervention. Ramdhani’s journey underscores the value of interdisciplinary training in addressing complex medical challenges, especially in pediatric cases requiring long-term, multidisciplinary care. Her accomplishments reflect not only personal dedication but also the potential for integrated approaches in healthcare to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her ongoing contributions to the Smile Foundation continue to bring tangible benefits to children in need of reconstructive care.