Honing in on Sexual Health in Africa

Although Dr Padaruth Ramlachan (66) began his work life as a humble bricklayer, he now lists the KwaZuluNatal Doctors’ Healthcare Coalition Lifetime Achievement Award – international recognition for work on sexual medicine – and being elected President of the African Society for Sexual Medicine as the crowning achievements of his long and illustrious medical career.

DUT bestowed the Silver Tusk Award on him in 2009 for bringing recognition to the University and he also received the Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM) from the European Union of Medical Specialists in 2012. “These accolades have allowed my colleagues and I the opportunity to spread sexual medicine throughout

Africa, which is a work in progress even now.”

He has been the Chairman of the Durban Doctors’ Guild since 2000 and also serves as the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee of the KZN Doctors Healthcare Coalition (KZN DHC). He has served on numerous Boards, is the past Chairperson of the Southern African

As a medical professional, your greatest gift to your patients is to care, as even the widest of knowledge will never replace caring.

Dr Padaruth ramlachan DUT Higher Technician's Certificate T4 graduate

Sexual Health Association (SASHA KZN) and is the past President of the African Society for Sexual Medicine (ASSM).

He lectures part-time in the Department of Family Medicine at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine and structures the Sexual Health modules for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in Family Medicine. He is also currently the Director of the Newkwa Sexual Health and Wellness Centre in Newlands.

The COVID-19 pandemic has literally changed the face of medicine, economics and the viability of medical practice. “Physical distancing, personal protective equipment, telemedicine and new sanitising methods have all contributed to a changed medical environment and again, it brings out caring as the principle to assist all,” he said.

“In response to the pandemic, the KZNDHC, under the brave leadership of Prof. Morgan Chetty together with the team of Dr Neven Govender, myself and Usizo, launched a COVID-19 free on-call helpline to assist all our people countrywide to answer questions or give advice needed to allay their fears during the pandemic. This is part of our social responsibility in response to the epidemic. The helpline has assisted over 15 000 callers to date,” said Ramlachan proudly.

But what exactly sparked Ramlachan’s “lifelong ambition to care”? “My mom suffered from recurrent closure of her right eye due to problems in her sinus and drainage pathways,” remembered Ramlachan. “I spent many days accompanying her to King Edward V111 Hospital in my youth. She eventually healed following an operation after many years of treatment and these memories lingered on in my mind as a teenager.”

Growing up as the tenth child in a household of 11 children in the backyards of Clare Estate with no lights or water and the infamous pail sanitation system, Ramlachan was all too familiar with a life of poverty and adversity. His father, a bus driver, died when he was six, and his mom, who had no formal education, encouraged her children to cultivate vegetables in the land around their rented slum barracks to sell at the early morning squatters’ market in Warwick Avenue.

“Despite the adversities, I cherish my childhood and I always had an abundance of love, respect and support from my courageous mother and elder siblings,” emphasised Ramlachan.

His mom encouraged all her children to attend school but they had to rely on donated books and support from educational NGOs. Ramlachan attended Springfield Flats Primary School till Grade 8, Greyville High School from Grade 9, followed by ML Sultan Technical High School where he studied Electrical Trade Theory till Grade 10. His attempt to become an electrician was unsuccessful due to apartheid laws and instead was forced to become an apprentice bricklayer at AG Stewart Builders in Durban.

RAMLACHAN’S SEXUAL HEALTH TIPS

Great sex happens in great relationships Love, trust and respect are the cornerstones of a beautiful relationship Nurture your love, trust and respect for each other Spend time touching outside of sex Kiss deeply Change your attitude towards sex and fall in love again Make spending quality time together and romance a priority Have an ‘affair’ with your partner Schedule time and romantic settings Focus on being sensual before being sexual

If you love the work that you do, you will never work a day in your life.

Ramlachan acquired a National Technical Certificate 3 from the ML Sultan Technical College as part of his apprenticeship and completed the Trade Test for Bricklayers in Olifantsfontein. Upon qualifying, he completed his Higher Technician’s Certificate T4 as a part-time student at the ML Sultan Technikon. Ramlachan then taught at the ML Sultan Apprentice School for five years and during this time, got married and welcomed his first daughter.

Student life at ML Sultan Technikon was varied, exciting and was a wonderful experience for Ramlachan. “Our lecturers gave us many light-hearted moments and it was not uncommon to share a bunny chow with some of them or to even be complimented for attending lectures at night, even though you slept through half the lecture!”

His arduous medical journey began in 1979 when he began studying part-time to gain his National Senior Certificate. He gained entrance to the then University of Natal Medical School where he began his MBChB degree in 1980, completed it in 1985 and did his internship at King Edward V111 Hospital. He started his private practice in Newlands in 1987 and in 2007, he finally received his Master’s Degree in Health Sciences (Sexual Health) from the University of Sydney in Australia.

Ramlachan’s day at his practice always begins with seeing patients. He then catches up on emails, meets with medical reps and attends scheduled clinical study-related meetings. When he is not at the practice, he is either travelling for meetings and conferences or lecturing.

“A typical day in the life of a medical practitioner does not just include eight or more hours of seeing and treating patients – every day is different with new challenges and learning opportunities,” stressed Ramlachan.

After hours, Ramlachan responds to emails, prepares for meetings or conference presentations, writes journal articles and spends considerable time reading. “I will always be dedicated to my career and have a passion for medicine, however, I have recently adopted a new lifestyle to spend more quality time with my family on the weekends.” He and his family now enjoy Sunday morning walks on the beach, exploring Durban and cooking.

His family constitutes his loving wife of 44 years, Ronitha (home executive), three daughters (Shavashni (43), Thirashni (37) and Deepa (34) and their spouses Jai, Neelesh and Neville respectively), and five grandchildren. His mother, Parvathy, is deceased.

Ever aware of his modest roots, Ramlachan is the founder of the Jyoti Jivanam Movement of South Africa, a non-profit and public beneficiary organisation that has provided food hampers to the less fortunate for the past 18 years.