Sharon Stone discusses why she refused stroke medication despite doctors' advice

Health Minister J.P. Natta and Deputy Minister Jitendra Singh held a meeting with Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday, July 21, the death of three individuals with confirmed cases of hantavirus in the state of Anzoátegui.

Other deaths under investigation

Additionally, the ministry communicated that there are two more deaths registered in the state of Barinas, both belonging to healthcare professionals. These deaths are not linked to the cases in Anzoátegui but are under investigation, awaiting confirmation of their causes.

Transmission and sanitary surveillance

The health authority clarified that this virus is transmitted by rodents in rural and agricultural environments, with the main route of contagion being the inhalation of particles from urine, feces, or saliva in enclosed spaces. It was reinforced that there is no scientific evidence of person-to-person transmission in the country.

The Venezuelan National Health System remains operational to ensure the safety of all Venezuelan citizens, and the final results of the investigations will be disclosed through official channels in due course.

International context of hantavirus

In a different context, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared on July 2 that the hantavirus outbreak detected on a cruise ship had ended, provided there were no new cases among the 54 people who remained in quarantine. The number of infections on that ship remained stable at 13 over several weeks.

The ship Hondius departed from Ushuaia, in southern Argentina, on April 1, with passengers of various nationalities to cross the South Atlantic. During this crossing, three people died and four others presented symptoms of infection. The passengers and part of the crew disembarked in the Canary Islands, where they were repatriated to their respective countries in an operation coordinated by the WHO and Spanish authorities.

Dr. Kirti Ramdhani has reached a historic milestone by becoming the first African specialist qualified in both pediatric and plastic surgery. Ramdhani herself emphasized that her motivation was the desire to provide comprehensive care to children, rather than the pursuit of recognition.

Surgeon's Career and Achievements

This 38-year-old surgeon works at Tigerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University in Cape Town. She recently completed exams in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery, having previously qualified as a pediatric surgeon through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) in 2021.

Her success has been recognized by the Smile Foundation, where she volunteers as a specialist helping children with congenital facial differences and other reconstructive problems. Ramdhani shared that this moment was the result of many years of perseverance, self-sacrifice, and faith.

Philosophy of Treatment Approach

Ramdhani explained that the unique combination of two disciplines has shaped her approach to patient care. In her view, pediatric surgery taught her to care for a child holistically, while plastic surgery provided the tools to restore not only form and function but also confidence, hope, and dignity. She believes that the boundary between these two specialties exists more in educational curricula than in the lives of the children they treat.

She noted that a child with a cleft lip requires not just an operation, but years of coordinated surgical care, including reconstruction, development, function, and aesthetics.

Educational Path

Dr. Ramdhani received her medical degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), followed by an internship at New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town. She then returned to KZN for public service and worked as a medical officer in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Grace Hospital from 2014 to 2017.

It was there that she gained extensive experience as a junior surgeon, including procedures for correcting cleft lip and palate, before obtaining her post-specialist qualification in pediatric surgery. In 2021, after registering for final pediatric surgery exams, she took on another highly competitive position in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery at Tigerberg Hospital.

Motivation and Family Influence

Ramdhani links her passion for surgery to a childhood experience involving her younger brother. When he was ill, she wished she could help others like an ENT specialist did. Later, in medical college, she realized that while there were no cures for allergic rhinitis, there were ways to solve problems precisely and effectively, which sparked her love for surgery.

A special moment in her career was meeting the mother who saw her child after cleft lip repair surgery in 2014. She noted the mother's genuine emotion upon seeing the face she had prayed for, realizing that there was hope for the future in her eyes.

Beyond professional achievements, her motivation is deeply connected to the spiritual teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda's principle that 'service to humanity is service to God.' Her parents, Sham and Shirley Ramdhani, had a profound influence, teaching her resilience, honesty, and the importance of education.

Teamwork and the Future of Medicine

Outside the operating room, Ramdhani draws strength from her family. She is married to pediatric surgeon Shamaman Harilal, who practices in the private sector of Cape Town, and they have a daughter. She emphasizes that family is her primary source of balance.

Ramdhani highly values multidisciplinary teams that support children during difficult times. She lists numerous specialists, including nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, as well as various surgeons and geneticists, asserting that caring for children is never the work of one person.

As a member of the Smile Foundation, she notes that the organization makes specialized surgery accessible to children who might otherwise not receive it. In conclusion, she hopes her journey will inspire the younger generation of doctors, reminding them that origin does not determine potential, and that Africa is capable of leading through innovation and compassion.