The arrival of paediatric surgeon Dr Elliot Motloung in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, was a blessing as the province has now opened its first paediatric ward, a move that will save the department of health millions of rand and bring services closer to those who need it.

Motloung, 39, who is the head of the unit at Rob Ferriera Hospital, told Sowetan that when he moved to Mbombela in 2019 to open a private practice, he was approached by the department to work with them to improve service delivery...