Many young doctors work closely in mining communities across the country. These medical professionals are playing a key role in reshaping healthcare in South Africa’s mining sector.
As we celebrate Youth Month, it is worth noting that there are many medical professionals under the age of 35 who are currently working within mining communities. This new generation of doctors is reshaping healthcare in South Africa’s mining sector, choosing to enter this industry and play their part in providing better healthcare access, while helping to build greater resilience in mining communities.
Dr Oarabile Mochwanaesi, a general dental surgeon, explains that he grew up in a mining community, and this early exposure to that environment allowed him to see how closely the wellbeing of workers and families are connected.
“Over time, I realised that healthcare in this space is not just about treating illness, but about supporting livelihoods and keeping communities going. That personal connection is what makes the work feel meaningful to me,” he explains.
“Trust comes from consistency and honest communication. Taking time to explain things properly, speaking to patients calmly, and treating them without judgement makes a big difference. Once patients feel comfortable, they are far more likely to come in earlier and take better care of their health.”
He notes that healthcare education and preventative care are both extremely important, noting that many patients believe the only solution to pain is removing the tooth, because that is what they have been exposed to.
“A big part of my role is helping patients understand that we can often treat and save their teeth. When they realise they can keep their natural teeth and their smiles, it really changes how they approach their oral health.”
Asked what advice he would provide to others considering a similar career, he says he would encourage young healthcare professionals to stay open to working in communities that are often overlooked.
“It is also important to remember that healthcare is not just about treating patients, but about educating and connecting with people. Sometimes the biggest difference you make is in helping someone understand their health and take control of it,” states Dr Mochwanaesi.
Caring for communities
Dr. Masego Tiro adds that she views her and her colleagues’ roles as being about caring for entire communities, rather than individual patients.
“Today, doctors are involved in prevention, health promotion, education, chronic disease management and supporting community wellbeing. At Platinum Health, I am not primarily treating individual patients but rather designing the structures within which teams of clinicians deliver consistent, evidence-based care. That shift from clinician to population health programme lead is a defining feature of modern mining medicine.
“Furthermore, in mining communities, where workers are often far from home and navigating complex occupational health systems, a doctor who takes time to explain why a medication is prescribed, what a fitness assessment means for their work status, and what a diagnosis implies for their family, becomes a trusted advisor,” she says.
“Likewise, healthcare education and preventative care are crucial. Preventing disease and empowering people with knowledge often has the greatest long-term impact.”
She describes how shift work disrupts sleep, diet and family relationships, affecting chronic disease control. Financial stress and distance from family affect mental health. Environmental exposures – dust, noise and heat – create occupational disease risk that must also be managed.
“Therefore, accessible healthcare is vital, as this helps to improve quality of life, reduces disease burden and helps communities remain productive and resilient. Moreover, the impact compounds across generations, if the systems are well designed.”
“For younger healthcare professionals, this is an opportunity to make a difference not only in individual lives, but also in the health of entire communities. From my own perspective, I am designing systems, influencing policy and developing the next generation of healthcare delivery models. That kind of multi-dimensional impact is what draws me to this work every day.”
Building rapport
Dr Phinky Mhlanga, meanwhile, suggests that her and her colleagues deal with many challenges – from seasonal impacts like flu, to chronic conditions like HIV and TB, and on to physical injuries like lower back pain, neck pains and other challenges like rotator cuff injuries.
“This is a sector prone to serious work-related injuries, so we always have to be on our toes to quickly understand how serious a problem is, and to explain it to the patient properly by simplifying complex terminology and eliminating misconceptions they might have,” she states.
She indicates that it is very important to build a rapport with individuals and the overall community, because trust and openness – where a patient can speak to you about any issue they may have – is crucial if you are to be able to assist them effectively. For example, she adds, if they open up about a mental health challenge, we can immediately recommend them to a professional in this field.
“Being embedded within the community allows us to have a greater impact on community health issues. From basics like being in a position to provide access to birth control solutions, to holding community health discussions to help break the stigma of chronic disease, we are able to positively impact these communities in many ways.”
“There is no doubt this is a stressful work environment, due to the nature of the injuries that occur and the fact they can happen at any time. Nonetheless, it is also incredibly rewarding and the positive impacts we have daily on the broader mining community are really what keeps us excited and eager to get up for work in the mornings,” she concludes.
