January 22, 2024

Prominent figure at Bara ICU, Professor Rudo Mathivha, concludes distinguished career with retirement

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, much like many public hospitals in South Africa, exudes an unmistakably old-fashioned charm. For me, it's the passageways between structures, covered with weathered zinc that emanates heat. Even the trees lining the parking lots appear weathered, their roots intertwined with the pavements.
However, Baragwanath stands apart from other hospitals in the country.
"Unique in its size [well over 3,000 beds] … unique in the variety and quantity of medical conditions seen … unique in its blend of so-called First and Third-World medicine … unique in its witnessing of the transition of a population from a rural to an urban existence," noted Ken Huddle and Asher Dubb in their 1994 book, Baragwanath Hospital, 50 Years: A Medical Miscellany.
This characterization generally holds true. Passing beneath a massive deodorant advertisement on the façade of the main building, I pondered which aspects of life in this colossal institution Professor Rudo Mathivha, who had overseen the intensive care unit (ICU) for 25 years, would choose to emphasize in our interview. While I was informed to expect someone outspoken, our six months of intermittent WhatsApp messages gave no hint of specific character traits or concerns.
Now at Bara, entering the Friends at Bara building—a block of offices facing Chris Hani Road, next to the main hospital building—I discover that Mathivha is also present. She opens the door to the office I knocked at and greets me from a height of 5'2".
"Come in, come in," she says. A woman behind a nearby desk smiles and waves. "That's Dr Jacqui Brown, deputy director of the ICU unit," Mathivha introduces. "We've worked together since, oh, forever."
The walls are adorned in a nursery blue hue, except for a section papered with a tropical island scene behind a circle of armchairs.
"We chose it to brighten up the place," Mathivha remarks. "When work becomes overwhelming, I sit here with a cup of coffee and envision myself on a beach in Jamaica, sipping a cocktail."
A challenging year unfolded as I inquired about the events of the past year. The response was accompanied by a profound sigh, indicating the gravity of the question. Sabotage of the oxygen supply marked the beginning, involving unauthorized access to the control room and deliberate cutting of the pipe to the ICU just before Christmas in 2022. Professor Rudo Mathivha, who led the intensive care unit (ICU) for 25 years, vividly described the nerve-wracking experience and the stress it induced, heightened by the realization that it was an intentional act.
Amid this, death threats emerged on her phone in May 2023, leaving Mathivha puzzled about the motives behind them. Possible reasons included her involvement in a case against the state concerning load-shedding, participation in a tribunal reviewing a health ombudsman's report, and outspokenness about the lack of food in health facilities.
Despite these challenges, Mathivha remains resilient, offering her expertise and guidance. After a brief hiatus due to health concerns and a COVID-19 diagnosis, she plans to return to Baragwanath on a sessional basis, focusing on teaching and providing support. Reflecting on her career, she acknowledges her tendency to speak out against injustices and emphasizes the importance of addressing fundamental issues, such as patients' access to proper nutrition.
Her journey traces back to her childhood in Sibasa, where her fighting spirit emerged from being born prematurely and underweight. Raised in a close-knit Lemba community with dietary restrictions, Mathivha developed a desire to help those in need. This determination led her to pursue a career in medicine, overcoming challenges and biases along the way.
As Mathivha's story unfolds, it becomes evident that her passion for healthcare and advocacy has been a consistent thread throughout her life. Despite facing adversity and systemic issues, she remains committed to contributing to critical care medicine and making a positive impact in her community.