27/07/2026
Life Peglerae Hospital is pleased to welcomed Dr Pavalini Pillay to our team of Specialist General Surgeons.
Dr Pillay is committed to compassionate, expert surgical care with a warm, patient-centred approach. She believes good surgery begins with listening, understanding each patient's concerns and explaining their options clearly and honestly.
Dr Pillay qualified with an MBChB from the University of Cape Town in 2014. She completed her specialist surgical training in Pietermaritzburg, earning her Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of South Africa (FCS (SA)) and a Master of Medicine in Surgery from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, both in 2023. Dr Pillay has built her career across some of KwaZulu-Natal's busiest hospitals, gaining broad experience in general and trauma surgery. She currently serves as a General Surgery Consultant at Grey's Hospital, within the Upper Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary (Upper GI/HPB) unit.
Her areas of expertise are general surgery including laparoscopic procedures such as gallbladder surgery and hernia repairs; trauma surgery; and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including upper and lower scopes and specialised procedures.
She has an interest in upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgery, including complex procedures of the oesophagus, stomach, liver and pancreas.
As a skilled endoscopist, she performs a full range of upper and lower endoscopic procedures including complex interventional upper endoscopy. Dr Pillay has a particular interest in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) which will expand her skills to offer a broader range of endoscopic services to her patients.
Dr Pillay served as an Honorary Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she taught and supervised surgical registrars, and facilitated advanced laparoscopy and surgical skills courses. Her research has been published in the World Journal of Surgery, where she was lead author. During her training, Dr Pillay earned several departmental awards, including Registrar of the Year, reflecting her consistent commitment to excellence and patient care.
Outside of medicine, Dr Pillay has a passion for fitness and travelling.
Note to Dr. Pillay’s Patients at Life Peglerae Hospital:
Dr Pillay understands that surgery can feel daunting. Her goal is to make every patient feel heard, informed and supported at every step from the first consultation through to full recovery. Whether you are seeking advice, a second opinion or treatment, you can expect care that is thorough, honest and delivered with genuine warmth.
For more information about Life Peglerae Hospital's Surgeons contact Masego Gumbo by email on [email protected] or alternatively visit our website on https://bit.ly/4g56qJ0 for further information.
