The life of a paediatric specialist
No words can fully express the gift of working with babies and children.
My work as a paediatric specialist involves:
- Receiving new born babies in theatre;
- Admitting premature and term babies with complications to an intensive care;
- In room consulting and follow ups for babies and children;
- Managing and treating babies in a paediatric ward.
My journey started when I received the Gallagher foundation scholarship to study medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2004. The thought of having somebody believing in me and my future ignited that inner flame of passion for me. During my internship at Tembisa hospital, I was awarded a certificate of excellence in paediatrics for my rotation. I was much undecided as to what to pursue after the internship, so this came at just the right time. Taking on Community service at 1 Miliary Hospital then; further encouraged me as I saw the dedication the staff had towards babies and children. This led me to specialise as a Paediatrician through Wits university: rotating at Baragwanath Hospital, “the Mighty Baradiso”; if you can work at this hospital, you can survive any other. A research submission in this period for me! resulted in an opportunity to present it at the 19th International Workshop on HIV Observational Database in Catania, Sicily in 2015.
Having always had an interest in business since childhood, I finally could marry my two passions for medicine and business when I ventured into a private practice. Robert Kiyosaki’s book Rich Dad Poor Dad gave me an extra push in this direction. Initially working in a group practice gave me the mentoring I felt I needed and also helped me identify the key professionals I would need to surround myself with in order to run a successful practice. The challenges of running a successful practice where ginormous and required fast decision making, coming up with disruptive ways of doing things and going the extra mile for my clients and lots and lots or prayers. This required a shift on my side as in government we call our clients = patients. Good standing with the SARS is a must, a good accountant for booking keeping, a good financial adviser for investment purposes and a front desk that is warm, and welcoming is an absolute need.
Entrepreneurship for me has been a thrilling experience with parents and children as my key clients. Laughing and crying with parents over vomits from reflux and hard poo’s from constipation has been an exhilarating experience, but I am always reminded that through all of this, they are paying clients and should get value for their money. The Intensive care is intense for a reason, and this is when this becomes more than a job. The emotional, physical, and spiritual investment of both parents and doctor is immense. Through it all, there is a peace in knowing that: “I was born for this”, finally I can use my talkative and bubbly personality to generate some revenue; while helping children and saving little precious lives.
By Dr L Machaba
A bubbly, engaging, supportive and involved doctor. Who spends time to listen and empower me as a mother. Thank you Dr. Machaba. I appreciate you and your work. Your personality creates magic when we visit your practice. Lesego at the front desk adds to that magic, she is warm, kind, engaging and very helpful.
All that has been articulated on the article I can attest to it. My first encounter with her it was when I gave birth to my son. He was diagnosed with T21. She was more than a Doctor on that day and to this day. She moved my thoughts to a positive mode. The son that I thought he won’t make it, he is just pushing throughout on all the milestones. On the lighter note when you walk in her consultation room you must be prepared to spent more time with her as the consultation will be not only be about the child it will be also about you as a parent.