Dr Vhutshilo Netshituni is the first black paediatric oncologist in South Africa and she is putting her skills to use at Limpopo’s only Paediatric Oncology unit at the Pietersburg Hospital in Polokwane.
Earlier this week we shared the story about how employees from Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) gave the Paediatric Oncology Ward at the Pietersburg Hospital a full makeover. It was a wonderful undertaking that will uplift the lives of so many young children, fighting some of the hardest battles they will ever face.
While there, Dr Vhutshilo Netshituni shared her thanks for the hard work being put into the facility. The official handover took place today, the 2nd of March 2018.
“We, as the Paediatric Oncology team, are very humbled and grateful for what Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa is busy doing for us by upgrading our isolation rooms, renovating our outpatient rooms and building the school for our kids,” says Dr Vhutshilo Netshituni, Paediatric Oncologist at the Polokwane Hospital.
It was briefly mentioned that Dr Vhutshilo was the first black Paediatric Oncologist in South Africa. We had to know more about her so we did a little digging and found an incredible story behind the phenomenal doctor.
Dr Vhutshilo was born in Tshilafene village outside Thohoyandou, Netshituni. She found her passion for medicine while visiting her cousin at a medical campus. As soon as she matriculated, she enrolled at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University where she pursued her medical degree.
Just before starting her first year, Dr Vhutshilo’s father suddenly passed away leaving her mother to become the main breadwinner.
“Even though life was different, my mom tried her best. In first year, my mom could only afford to give me registration money and that, for me, was enough. I didn’t know how I was going to survive when I got there. All I wanted was to study medicine,”
It was during regular hospital visits that she realised her love of working with children and decided to make that her main focus. She completed her qualification as a paediatric oncologist at Stellenbosch University.
She has since started working full time at the Paediatric Oncology unit at the Pietersburg Hospital in Polokwane. Sadly the current rate of survival for the children is very low. This is due to the stigmatism of childhood cancer within outlying communities, late diagnosis and having to travel long distances. The hospital is currently the only one within Limpopo that has a Paediatric Oncology unit.
Dr Vhutshilo plans to use her platform to raise awareness so that fewer children are left undiagnosed or shunned. She hopes to run “a big and beautiful oncology building” one day.
Dr Vhutshilo is an inspiration to all future doctors. She is determined to make a difference and save as many lives as she can. We salute you Dr!
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