One of East London’s best known family doctors is among those to be recognised by her peers this week.
This comes as Dr Anthea Klopper leaves the city to join the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
The South African Medical Association’s (Sama) Border coastal branch will host its local hero awards at the end of the week to recognise the sterling work of doctors in the region.
Klopper will receive a distinguished service award and Dr Bavamma Thomas, who worked in Keiskammahoek, a rural lifetime service award.
Klopper is recognised for her insightful, inventive leadership and dedicated service to the medical community in the region of the Sama branch.
Dr Kim Harper, chairman of the branch, said Klopper had guided and directed, modernised and inspired as past chairman of the board.
“When needed, she has marched in unison with her colleagues for the rights of doctors.
“Dr Klopper has invigorated and uplifted the border coastal branch,” he said.
Klopper, who works in the private sector as an associate in general practice, completed her undergraduate studies at UCT and then trained as a general practitioner in the United Kingdom.
She returned to South Africa in 1995 working in the paediatric department at the then East London Hospital Complex, which included Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals, for eight years.
“I firmly believe that doctors need to present a united force in determining the future of our profession and of healthcare in this country,” said Klopper, who leaves East London at the end of May to start the new chapter in her career.
“I have accepted a sessional post in the neurodevelopmental clinic at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town,” she said.
Speaking about her local hero award, Klopper said she was a little embarrassed and overwhelmed by the recognition.
Thomas retired at the end of March, after more than 20 years working at the small rural hospital of SS Gida in Keiskammahoek.
“She has always shown huge commitment to her patients, and has been willing to learn and take on new responsibilities, managing the ART programme at the hospital from its inception.
“Even with many years of clinical experience and expertise she was always humble, and not afraid to call for advice to ensure that her patients received the best possible level of care,” Harper said.
Thomas completed her medical degree at Christian Medical Mission College in India and has worked at SS Gida Hospital since 1987 in many disciplines, mostly in paediatrics.
The awards will take place on Friday. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
Awards honour dedicated service of two doctors
This comes as Dr Anthea Klopper leaves the city to join the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
The South African Medical Association’s (Sama) Border coastal branch will host its local hero awards at the end of the week to recognise the sterling work of doctors in the region.
Klopper will receive a distinguished service award and Dr Bavamma Thomas, who worked in Keiskammahoek, a rural lifetime service award.
Klopper is recognised for her insightful, inventive leadership and dedicated service to the medical community in the region of the Sama branch.
Dr Kim Harper, chairman of the branch, said Klopper had guided and directed, modernised and inspired as past chairman of the board.
“When needed, she has marched in unison with her colleagues for the rights of doctors.
“Dr Klopper has invigorated and uplifted the border coastal branch,” he said.
Klopper, who works in the private sector as an associate in general practice, completed her undergraduate studies at UCT and then trained as a general practitioner in the United Kingdom.
She returned to South Africa in 1995 working in the paediatric department at the then East London Hospital Complex, which included Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals, for eight years.
“I firmly believe that doctors need to present a united force in determining the future of our profession and of healthcare in this country,” said Klopper, who leaves East London at the end of May to start the new chapter in her career.
“I have accepted a sessional post in the neurodevelopmental clinic at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town,” she said.
Speaking about her local hero award, Klopper said she was a little embarrassed and overwhelmed by the recognition.
Thomas retired at the end of March, after more than 20 years working at the small rural hospital of SS Gida in Keiskammahoek.
“She has always shown huge commitment to her patients, and has been willing to learn and take on new responsibilities, managing the ART programme at the hospital from its inception.
“Even with many years of clinical experience and expertise she was always humble, and not afraid to call for advice to ensure that her patients received the best possible level of care,” Harper said.
Thomas completed her medical degree at Christian Medical Mission College in India and has worked at SS Gida Hospital since 1987 in many disciplines, mostly in paediatrics.
The awards will take place on Friday. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
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