Mthatha woman specialist intent on passing down skills to fellow physicians
A woman specialist doctor in Mthatha is fostering high-level medical skills in the Transkei by building a new group of physicians at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.
Professor Busisiwe Mrara, 45, is an anaesthesiologist the practice of placing patients in a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical treatment purposes and an intensivist, also known as a critical care physician.
She made history as the first ever super-specialist at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and was recently elected president of the College of Anaesthetists, becoming the first black woman to hold the position in the Colleges of Medicine SA (CMSA).
Speaking to the Dispatch team on Thursday, Mrara, of Mthatha, said she was encouraged by her family to study medicine and now she was assisting other doctors.
The Holy Cross High School and Wits University alma mater did a four-year fellowship in anaesthesia and twoyear sub-speciality in intensive care in Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg and worked in the hospital and in Australia for a year.
For the longest time there “were only three anaesthesia specialists at Nelson Mandela, whereas in hospitals like Bara there would be about 70 specialists.
“I choose this path because it is scientific. I felt it was interesting, Mrara said.
“When I worked in the ICU, I got more involved. You have to support people, sometimes even spiritually, and walk that journey with them. Initially I wanted to be a “specialist who did not have much human contact, but I am enjoying this,” she said.
The mother of one said juggling her roles was something she looked forward to on a daily basis.
Mrara trains scores of medical officers to obtain diplomas in anaesthesia.
She said she had decided to return to her home town to give back her expertise and influence the rural health system.
In her role as an intensivist, Mrara and a team have been at the forefront in the fight against Covid-19.
I have made sure that I have “disseminated the skills to other doctors. The challenge we have is that we are short-staffed,” Mrara said.
We need more specialists to “be able to do more and have a bigger outreach.”
Mrara is also busy with a PhD at the Walter Sisulu University.
She has served at the CMSA since 2014 and was the anaesthetist examiner.
I have realised that it was a “good thing that I did medicine. I love working with people, mentoring young people and my colleagues so we are all progressing, and to inspire them.
“I am blessed that I have a family that supports me. I feel I need to help other people help others, and knowing what I am blessed with, I need to share with other people,” she said.
Mrara called for women to follow their career passions and to work hard to make them a reality.
Chief medical officer in urology, Dr Mbuyiselo Madiba, said Mrara had a magnetic presence.
“We might be talking about the cathlab, paediatrics, but without her they cannot operate.
They used to operate in East London.
Since she came in here, super-specialists “are increasing and that has also inspired even the local guys to come in here and serve the people.
“She has caused the institution to grow,” Madiba said.