Guided by Faith, Driven by Hope: A Paediatric Intensivist's Story

Dr Tjijandjeua Kandetu is a specialist paediatrician and sub-specialist paediatric intensivist. A paediatrician is a doctor who treats children for any illness from birth to adolescence, while a paediatric intensivist has special training in diagnosing and treating children who are seriously ill or injured.

Paediatric intensivists use special procedures, treatments and medicines to care for children who are usually in the paediatric intensive care unit of a hospital. Paediatric intensivists coordinate the overall care of these children, including treatment given by other specialists. Kandetu earned her bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBChB) and master of medicine (MMed Paediatrics) degrees from the University of Stellenbosch. Her specialist and sub-specialist certifications were obtained from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa in 2019 and 2023.

Currently, she is pursuing a master of philosophy (MPhil) degree in paediatric critical care at the University of Cape Town. Kandetu provides healthcare to infants, young children and pre-teens, focusing on their physical, psychological and social well-being. Her work includes health checks, developmental assessments and managing both acute and chronic conditions. “My favourite part about my profession is seeing a seriously ill child fully recover and leave my unit, even eating a packet of chips sometimes! Children are extremely resilient and forgiving and when critically ill, their little bodies go through so much. Seeing them wake up and be normal children again is something I will never get used to. It brings me so much joy,” she said.

Guided by her favourite scripture, James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness”, she perseveres through challenges, bringing hope and healing to young lives.