The Centenary of Pediatric Surgery in South Africa (1923-2024) (Historical Vignette)

Dr. Milind Chitnis

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals, Affiliated to Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa.

Keywords

History of Medicine

Pediatric Surgery services

South Africa

Abbreviations

CPSSA - College of Pediatric Surgeons of South Africa

RCWMCH - Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital

SAAPS - South African Association of Pediatric Surgeons

Abstract

This article narrates the history of pediatric surgery South Africa over 100 years. The first department was established in 1923 at Johannesburg. Professor Jannie Louw, who did pioneering work, is considered the Father of South African Pediatric Surgery. Subsequently, 9 universities started training programs in pediatric surgery. The South African Association of Pediatric Surgeons and the College of Pediatric Surgeons of South Africa were founded in 1976 and 2010 respectively. Gender disparity that prevailed in apartheid era is slowly rectified and now there are more women pediatric surgeons in South Africa than before. The year 2024 is the centenary year of South African Pediatric Surgery.