Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology(UCT) strives to serve the community and to empower wome NSH also provides a gynaecologic service.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town boasts a proud history of innovation. Established in 1920, it is the oldest such department in the country and is currently headed by Prof Lynette Denny. In 1980 the department established the first South African Community Obstetric Service (known as the Peninsula Maternal and Neonatal Ser

vice), setting the national and international benchmark for all primary healthcare medicine. The department runs a well-established gynaecological oncology service. This is the first unit in South Africa to be recognised by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the United Kingdom as a sub-speciality training unit. The unit is now recognised for sub-specialist training in the discipline by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa. The department developed the first clinic to provide care to postmenopausal women. At the time, this service was internationally unique and set the standard for many dedicated clinics that now provide similar services. The first South African obstetric ultrasound unit was created by the Department in 1970. This unit continues to function as a multi-disciplinary Fetal -Maternal Medicine unit. The first gynaecological endocrine clinic was established by the Department in 1972 and developed into the Reproductive Medicine Unit. The first sperm bank in South Africa was established at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1981. The Reproductive Medicine Unit remains the only South African university-based service dedicated to all aspects of reproductive medicine that supplies services to patients accessing the Public Health system and is now accredited by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa as a sub-specialist training unit. The department developed the first dedicated obstetric intensive care service in 1989. This remains the only unit of its kind in Africa and has attracted postgraduate students from many countries. In addition, the Department has a vibrant Urogynaecology Unit which is pioneering modern surgical techniques for the management of women with urinary and fecal incontinence and prolapse. While the Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology Oncology Units are accredited with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa for sub-specialist training accreditation for Urogynaecology is expected soon. In addition to the post-graduate training of specialists, the Department runs a comprehensive teaching and training programme for over 800 undergraduate medical students. Mowbray Maternity Hospital (MMH) and New Somerset Hospital (NSH) are level 2 public sector hospitals which provide maternal and newborn care. It is part of the teaching platform of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The Department is known for its cutting edge modern teaching methods, as well as methods of assessment. - See more at: http://www.obstetricsandgynaecology.uct.ac.za

09/06/2026

🤍 Innovation begins with those willing to lead the way.

Congratulations to Dr Lamees Ras on her election to the inaugural Executive Committee of the South African Gynaecological Robotic Association (SAGRA).

As a Consultant Urogynaecologist in the UCT Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr Ras continues to contribute to the advancement of women’s health through clinical excellence, education and surgical innovation.

We are proud to see her helping shape the future of robotic gynaecological surgery in South Africa.

Congratulations, Dr Ras.

08/06/2026

🤍 We are honoured to host Dr Willem Izak Visser, a leading South African dermatologist, researcher, and educator whose work has contributed significantly to dermatology training, clinical practice, and national guideline development.

Pregnancy is associated with a wide spectrum of physiological skin changes, pregnancy specific dermatoses, and the management challenges of pre-existing dermatological conditions.

This lecture will provide a practical, evidence-based approach to recognising, diagnosing, and managing dermatological disorders encountered in obstetric practice.

Topic: Dermatological Conditions in Pregnancy
📅 Tuesday, 09 June 2026
🕔 17:00–18:00 (SAST)
🔗 https://teams.live.com/meet/9319426786311?p=7jOenX48qmNBAVlXuU

All are welcome to attend.

01/06/2026

Join us for an engaging discussion on Rh Isoimmunization with Prof E. Norwitz where he will be exploring contemporary approaches to prevention, diagnosis and management in modern obstetric practice.

📅 Tuesday, 02 June 2026
🕔 17:00–18:00 (SAST)
💻 Microsoft Teams
🔗 https://teams.live.com/meet/9345870905254?p=zf4AADnkudlbeTKY8i

Whether you are a student, intern, medical officer, registrar, specialist or allied healthcare professional, all are welcome.

We look forward to welcoming you.

12/05/2026

PCOS renamed: Polyendocrine Metabolic O***y Syndrome - PMOS

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is the new name for the condition previously known as Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS), which impacts 1 in 8, or more than 170 million women worldwide.

04/05/2026

💛 Prof Ferzandi is Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and currently serves as President of the American Urogynaecologic Society.

She is an internationally recognised leader in urogynaecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, with extensive experience in clinical practice, education, and health systems leadership.

This session will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of the evaluation and management of pelvic organ prolapse, with practical insights applicable to everyday clinical practice.

🗓 Tuesday, 05 May 2026
⏰ 16:00 – 17:00 (SAST)
📍 Online via Microsoft Teams

Join via the link or scan the QR code on the poster.
🔗 https://teams.live.com/meet/93205138902675?p=x4jzNfWyQ5fimhmQEJ

All are welcome.

20/04/2026

💛 We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming session in the UCT Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology academic programme.

We are honoured to host Professor Hennie Lombaard, Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, who will be presenting on renal disease in pregnancy.

This session will provide a clinically relevant, evidence-based approach to the assessment and management of renal disease in pregnancy, an essential topic in high-risk obstetrics.

🗓 Tuesday, 21 April 2026
⏰ 18:00 – 19:00 (SAST)
📍 Microsoft Teams
🔗 https://teams.live.com/meet/9364931882099?p=fcDYV1GD49GStkEFf3

Join via the link or scan the QR code on the poster.

All are welcome.

12/04/2026

💛 We are hosting Professor K. Chen for Thyroid Disease – Part 2
An advanced continuation of our endocrine teaching series.

Professor Chen is Clinical Chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and Immediate Past President of the International Society of Obstetric Medicine. His work focuses on endocrine disorders in pregnancy, including thyroid disease, diabetes, and preconception care.

📅 Monday, 13 April 2026
⏰ 19:00 – 20:00 (GMT+4)
🔗 https://teams.live.com/meet/9322334054391?p=thMbcxXiSAkeHtlPsF

All are welcome.

30/03/2026

💛 The UCT Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology is pleased to host a teaching session on Cervical Length Screening: What to do and what not to do - presented by Dr Fahad Hendricks.

Dr Hendricks specialised at the University of Cape Town and completed further training at University College Cork, Ireland.
He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UCT and a Consultant at Mowbray Maternity Hospital.
His areas of interest include high-risk obstetrics, maternal medicine, and health professions education.

This session will provide a practical and clinically focused approach to cervical length screening, highlighting key principles, common pitfalls, and evidence-based management strategies.

🗓 Tuesday, 31 March 2026
⏰ 17:00 – 18:00 (SAST)
📍 Online via Microsoft Teams
🔗 https://teams.live.com/meet/9385685101114?p=3JFSxvWpvWH5bdAfCZ

Join via the link in bio or scan the QR code on the poster.

All are welcome.

23/03/2026

🩵 You’re invited.

The UCT Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology is pleased to host an academic session on:

Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy – Part 1
Presented by Prof K. Chen

🗓 Monday, 23 March 2026
⏰ 17:00 – 18:00 (SAST)

This session will explore key principles in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders in pregnancy — a critical topic in maternal medicine and fetal wellbeing.

🔗 Join via Microsoft Teams:
https://teams.live.com/meet/9399352239872?p=RbM5EwgBaohTE7uj4X

All are welcome.

18/03/2026

🩷 The UCT Surgical Society is pleased to host Dr Lamees Ras, subspecialist urogynaecologist and robotic pelvic surgeon at Groote Schuur Hospital, for a special Women’s Month Guest Lecture.

Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery in Women’s Health: Past, Present and Future will explore the evolution of minimally invasive techniques and the growing role of robotic surgery in pelvic floor reconstruction and women’s health.

Dr Ras is one of South Africa’s pioneering robotic pelvic surgeons and a leader in pelvic floor surgery, focusing on pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and surgical innovation within the UCT Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

📅 26 March 2026
⏰ 18:00 – 19:00
📍 Wolfson Lecture Theatre
Faculty of Health Sciences, UCT

🔗 Register here or scan QR code:
https://signup.com/go/mFnROUx

All students, clinicians and trainees are welcome.

WomenInMedicine

Address

Department Of Obstetrics And Gynaecology H45 Old Main Building Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory
Cape Town
7925

Website

http://www.obstetricsandgynaecology.uct.ac.za/, https://uctogrefresher2025.co.za/

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