Rotary bestows top award on EL oncology specialist
Eastern Cape oncology specialist Dr Zuki Jafta last month received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award from the East London Rotary Club for her tireless efforts in transforming rural communities through much-needed cancer education.
A statement released by the Rotary club said the award Jafta received was the highest recognition the club could present “to outstanding members of the community, for service above self.
Jafta is the newly appointed head of oncology at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha; a role she has occupied since February.
The hospital is still in the process of establishing an oncology unit, but this hasn’t stopped Jafta from providing cancer services in the Transkei area.
She told the Daily Dispatch that patients from Mthatha and surrounding towns had to travel from their local hospitals to Frere Hospital to receive cancer services.
“We saw it necessary to start offering services in Mthatha to accommodate patients living in that part of the province.
“Patients would spend three or four days travelling to East London from their hospitals all these years.”
She said most patients from these areas were already receiving cancer treatment. Only those in need of radiation therapy still had to travel to East London.
Jafta also heads advocacy projects such as health screenings and educational talks in rural communities.
In June, she finished compiling an information booklet on all things cancer which answers commonly asked questions about the disease.
She said the award from the Rotary Club had affirmed the positive contribution she always strived to make within the communities she worked in.
“I’m very happy and honoured about the award; I never expected it to be presented to me. Maybe I was meant to be a social worker, or social work is just intrinsic for me. I never expect a reward for the work that I do.”
I’m very happy and honoured about the award; I never expected it to be presented to me. Maybe I was meant to be a social worker, or social work is just intrinsic for me Dr Zuki Jafta EC oncology specialist