The retired nurse and midwife completed her doctorate in Public Health after a career spanning maternal and newborn healthcare, education and policy.
Durban, South Africa (16 September 2026) – At 82, Dr Dolly Nontuthuzelo Nyasulu has added another major achievement to a career dedicated to maternal, newborn and women’s health.
Nyasulu recently graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, completing a journey that she says came with plenty of challenges along the way.
“I feel incredibly good and very excited,” said Nyasulu. “I still can’t believe that I have made it to the finish line. It has been such a long journey, with many challenges along the way.”
Her doctoral research focused on a family-centred approach to postnatal care in rural KwaZulu-Natal, looking at how families can become more actively involved in supporting mothers and newborns alongside healthcare professionals, including midwives.
Nyasulu believes this approach could strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare and potentially contribute to saving lives. Although family-centred care is used in other parts of the world, she notes that it has not yet been fully implemented in South Africa.
Her PhD is the latest chapter in a career that has included nursing, midwifery, education, maternal and newborn health, as well as healthcare policy. She previously served as KwaZulu-Natal’s Provincial Maternal, Child and Women’s Health Coordinator and contributed to the development of maternal and newborn health policies and guidelines.
“This study feels like a full-circle moment for me.”
The road to the doctorate was also marked by significant personal loss. Nyasulu lost her daughter, two brothers and her husband while pursuing her studies. She also had to navigate health and technological challenges during the process.
With support from her family and supervisors, she continued. Now retired, Nyasulu remains passionate about maternal, newborn and women’s health and is still open to new opportunities where she can contribute.
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