‘COVID changed how we were taught medicine’

Managing a wave of an unknown COVID-19 variant is a challenge for even the most experienced doctor. But for one of the youngest doctors in South Africa, the outbreaks of Omicron and Delta were a steep learning curve. 

Thakgalo Thibela is just 22 years old, and her first years as a medical doctor have been spent on the frontlines of the pandemic at Johannesburg’s public Helen Joseph Hospital. Thibela tells Africa Science Focus what it’s like treating patients during a global health crisis, and what has kept her going through sleepless nights at the hospital.

Africa Science Focus, with Halima Athumani. 

Learn more about Thakgalo Thibela’s career

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