Cape Town - Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo has been named as one of this year’s Jakes Gerwel Award recipients.
The award honours graduates of the UWC School of Public Health who have made a positive and significant impact through their academic or professional leadership and innovation.
Parbhoo embarked on a journey to transform public health after being inspired by her father, who was also a doctor. The gentle-spirited doctor joined RCWMCH in 2008 as the medical manager.
Thirteen years later, in 2021, she took over as CEO, championing many projects, including the creation of family-friendly bathrooms with the nursing manager at the time. She has also advocated for staff wellness, including a dedicated staff breast-feeding facility.
In partnership with her management team, staff and the Children’s Hospital Trust, she also started a waiting list project in 2011 to address surgical backlogs.
“When I was managing theatre as the medical manager, I worked with Professor Sharon Cox, and we realised that there was a backlog in theatre. We put together a programme and managed to advocate to the Children’s Hospital Trust to get funding to do additional surgeries on Saturdays.” About her achievement, Parbhoo says it took a while to sink in.
“I feel so, so proud of myself and the work I have been able to do. Professor Jakes Gerwel gave so much of himself to uplift fellow South Africans.”
Cape Argus