In its commitment to delivering unparalleled medical expertise to the local community, Mediclinic Newcastle is proud to officially welcome Paediatrician, Dr Mulalo Nepfumbada to its esteemed team of highly qualified medical professionals.
Sharing her medical journey, Dr Nepfumbada revealed that she completed her undergraduate
studies at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, formerly known as the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA).
Driven by a heartfelt desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives, Dr Nepfumbada articulated her vision when entering medical school, expressing, “I have always loved children, and I knew that I wanted to be a paediatrician when I started. I just love their innocence and witnessing their smiles when they have made a recovery and started feeling better. Also, I am a firm believer that children are the future, and that is why I want to help them lead full and healthy lives.”
In addition, she shed light on the compelling aspect of exploring and understanding the myriad illnesses that afflict children, stating, “It can be mind blowing, and you have to dig deep to find the problem and provide the solution that will start their journey of healing.”
After completing her undergraduate studies, the doctor, originally from Limpopo, embarked on her internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital before dedicating her services to Polokwane Hospital in Limpopo from 2010 to 2013.
Armed with immense experience from these institutions, she pursued her postgraduate studies as a Specialist Paediatrician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, successfully completing them in 2017.
Since her relocation to Newcastle, Dr Nepfumbada has been actively contributing to the local community’s health at the Newcastle Provincial Hospital since 2018. She shared, “I have also been doing locum work in Ladysmith for the past five years and decided to go into private practice after seeing that there was a strong need for paediatricians in Newcastle. Currently, there are only four paediatricians in town.”
Officially opening her practice at 46 York Street at the beginning of November 2023, the doctor pointed out that she still works at the Provincial Hospital in the mornings and focuses on her private practice during the afternoons. “My dream for the future is seeing more paediatricians being attracted to Newcastle, each one with a unique specialty, so that the community’s children can receive the best possible medical care.”
Speaking about her association with Mediclinic Newcastle, Dr Nepfumbada emphasised the hospital’s stature as a state-of-the-art medical facility, especially in terms of treatment and equipment.
“Mediclinic Newcastle has everything needed when it comes to treatment, and the Mediclinic Newcastle’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is amazing, from its equipment to its highly dedicated team. Nothing is more frustrating for a doctor than not having the necessary resources for treating a patient, but that is not the case with Mediclinic Newcastle,” exclaimed the paediatrician.
Driven by a determination to positively impact children’s lives and witness a collaborative centre of paediatricians, Dr Nepfumbada highlighted the complementarity of her role as a mother of two.
“Being a mother makes me more sensitive to a child’s needs, and I can empathise with them and their parents. I can form a bond with the child, and as a mother, I also understand how the parents feel when their child gets sick,” she shared.
With this heartfelt understanding, Dr Nepfumbada assured Newcastillians that she is not only here to provide solutions to their children’s health needs but also to offer a compassionate listening ear that elevates their children’s healthcare to a more empathetic level.
Let us collectively extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome in true Newcastillian spirit to Dr Mulalo Nepfumbada, as she joins the Mediclinic Newcastle team.
We invite you to share your well wishes and messages in the comment section.
