ABOUT THE PRACTICE
OB/GYN based at Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic. Practice is currently a mixture of obstetrics and gynaecology with emphasis on minimally invasive (key hole) surgery, adolescent gynaecology, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), prolapse and menopause
ABOUT THE DOCTOR
Dr. MALIKAH Van der Schyff is a passionate female obstetrician, gynaecologist and minimally invasive surgeon who practices at MediClinic Constantiaberg. She provides a holistic approach to woman’s health and well-being.
As an obstetrician, she offers comprehensive care during all the important stages of a pregnancy and birth. She is passionate period, birthing experience and postnatal time to ensure a health mother and baby.
In her capacity as a gynaecologist – she has a keen interest in PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), adolescent health, endometriosis, minimally invasive (endoscopic) surgery and mature women’s health offering a holistic approach to many complex gynaecological,conditions.
She, ultimately, strives to follow a work ethic within private practice to empower and educate women and promote good health and well-being. This involves engaging actively with her patients (and their loved ones) and determining what their concerns or requirements are and ultimately optimizing their health.
In her capacity as a health advocate, she has been outspoken about women’s and doctors rights. She has a long standing history of involvement in community outreach as well as advocacy roles within not only within the women’s health arena but also medical practitioners in general. She enjoys many positions of senior leadership within special interest groups such as the South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SASOG), the South African Menopause Society (SAMS), South African Medical Association (SAMA) to name a few.
MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPERIENCE
- Local – Born in Cape Town, studied under and post graduately at UCT. 1996- MBCHB (UCT), 2004- FCOG(SA). Achieved extra training in minimally invasive surgery through South African and European certified programmes.
- Specialised (registrar) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FCOG -SA) through UCT at Groote Schuur Hospital and it’s affiliated secondary and primary healthcare facilities – after some career medical officer time in O&G and it’s related fields – Paediatrics and Urology
- Currently in private practice as an OB/GYN in Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic.
- Practice is currently a mixture of obstetrics (in the majority) and gynaecology ( with special emphasis on adolescent gynaecology, PCOS, endoscopy, prolapse and menopause)
- Involved on medical politics early in my academic career and within societies within medicine and obstetrics and gynaecology. Duties include trade union function, national policy, ethics and peer review, constitutional review, fundraising, etc.
- Dedicated over 25 years to health advocacy and social justice within numerous special interest societies and associations representing doctor and patient rights.
MEDICAL AFFILIATIONS & COMMITMENTS
- SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (SAMA), Involvement in now SAMA at various levels within the organisation throughout my career.
- 1994: Joined then MASA (medical association of South Africa) and part of Cape Western Branch (CWB) and local Junior Doctors Association (JUDASA) committee (1994-1995).
- 1996-1998: The Junior Doctors Association (JUDASA)- chairperson 2 years running and vice chair 1999 .
- 2000-2004: Registrar’s association (SARA)- exco, Public sector doctors committee (PUBSEC) member,
- SAMA Board of directors (x 4years)
- SAMA Health policy committee member (x 3years),
- SAMA Specialist private practice committee O&G representative (2013-current),
- SAMA Constitutional matters committee member (2014-current),
- SAMA National councillor 1995-2000; 2009; 2012-current
- SAMA Cape Western Branch (CWB) level involvement
- 1994-current (initially as part of branch then executive committee long term, Honorary Secretary, the President of SAMA CWB, branch councillor and now chairperson).
- Chairperson of the Cape Western Branch of SAMA (2016- current)
- Chairperson of the Cape Western branch of South African Medical Association Ethics and Peer Review Committee (2013-current).
- Chairing, introduction, feedback and reportback of mandate at parallel session (the role of national medical associations in addressing health inequities through social determinants of health) at SAMA/ Witwatersrand University international conference on Addressing health inequalities: who’s responsibility (2017).
- Specialist representative (OB/GYN and SAMA SPPC) at the 2019 Presidential Summit on NHI and follow up engagements on NHI
- Special guest and panelist at the 2019 SAPPF UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE SUMMIT
- Healthcare representative at the Western Cape Department of Health provincial engagement on universal healthcare. 2019
- Vice chair of SAMS SPPC
- VICE CHAIR of SAMA Chairpersons forum which hopes to represent and unify doctors and identify problems within the healthcare sector in each province.
Also involved within the O&G political arena as:
- A current board of director of The Gynaecological Management Group (GMG) since about 2006.
- This group assist private obstetricians wrt practice management and support, health policy engagement as well as mentorship for new practitioners.
- Portfolios : Cosing, Forensic audit and Media and Membership
- Vice – CEO as at Oct 2020
- South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SASOG) board member (2012-current) with roles as:
- Co-chair of the Obstetrics Committee active in O&G for the national SASOG Better Obs Initiative. The Better Obs Initaitive is a SASOG driven initiative to improve obstetrics within private healthcare through education of private obstetricians, provision and distribution labour ward protocols, mediation prior to litigation as well as peer review.
- Coordinator of the SASOG coding committee. This committee reviews coding within private healthcare and engage with relevant stakeholders (SAMA, medical schemes, doctors, government) wrt remuneration, utilisation, education and assisting practitioners.
- Member of SASOG website committee.
- Chairperson of the BETTER OBS Protocol Committee
- Lead obstetrician of Mediclinic Constantiaberg SASOG Better Obstetrics Initiative and chair of the Better Obs Initiative M&M meetings held within our hospital.
- Honorary secretary of the SASOG western cape branch (2014-current) arranging local sponsored SASOG CPD meetings.
- Treasurer and Board member of the South African Menopause Society (SAMS) and one of editors of Menopause Focus publication. Co- chair of the SAMS website committee.
- Mediclinic Constantiaberg Clinical Hospital Committee O&G representative (2012-current). This committee looks at clinical governance, peer review, medical and legal issues as they arise. Renamed the MediClinic Constantiaberg Clinical Performance committee as at 2019.
- Chairperson of the Mowbray Maternity Hospital Facilities Board (2013-current). As a board, we ensure that the management of health facilities are accountable to and have the support of their communities whilst managing their resources responsibly and effectively. We collaborate with Mowbray maternity management in ensuring the effective management of the healthcare facility
- Executive trustee of The Student Support and Strategy Foundation of South Africa. This is a nongovernmental educational organisation which provides holistic education and leadership support to underprivileged students who lack adequate resources or support.
- Board member of the South African Private Practice Forum which looks at awaiting private practitioners within the healthcare sector.
- Member of the UCT O&G Academic Support Fund (2019 – current)
- 2020 – current: Vice-CEO GMG
- 2021 – currently Honorary Secretary to the SASOG Council.
MEMBERSHIPS
Healths Profession Council Of South Africa (HPCSA) : MP 0474231
Medical Protection Society (MPS): – SA/23751
Current active memberships of affiliated medical, obstetrics, urogynaecology, endoscopy and menopause societies namely:
- SASOG (local O&G),
- FIGO (international O&G),
- SAMS (menopause),
- IMS (international menopause),
- SAUGA (local urogynaecology),
- IUGA (international urogynaecology),
- SASREG (local endoscopy)
- IMA (Islamic Medical Association)
- ISSVD (International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease),
- AAGL (American Association of Gynaecological Laparoscopists).
- Attendance of various Continued Medical Education meetings, congresses, conferences,etc.
- Active involvement in organising committees of various academic meetings e.g. FIGO 2009 (Cape Town),
- IUGA Cape Town symposium 2013, SAMS congress (Cape Town) 2016
- Lecturer at 2016 SASOG Congress (Sun City)
- Other- RCOG 2017 World Congress reviewer of abstracts
- World Congress reviewer of abstracts
- 2018- Part of the scientific committee of Uct 2019 Refresher Course.
- Lecturing at Paediatric Management Group Symposium
- Congress organizer SAMS 2021.
- Congress organizer FIGO 2024
- Member of UCT AFS committee
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Active community involvement in promoting women’s health by:
- Local community radio interviews including Radio 786 and Voice of The Cape Radio – e.g. doing a recent weekly series on pregnancy and development. Also telephone call-in talk shows.
- Guest speaking at local community women’s health events, e.g SIRCAL annual women’s health breakfast 2012 and 2014, Mediclinic pregnancy 2012-16 awareness lectures as well as Mediclinic Constantiaberg women’s health summit 2014/2015
- Lecturer for Mediclinic National antenatal weekend classes. Lecturing at Mediclinic pregnancy awareness, senior days as well as women’s month education.
- Televison magazine shows, e.g. multiple excerpts of “Hello Doctor” on SABC3.
- Various articles for local magazines, e.g Living and Loving articles (2014-15), Mamas and Papas (2013), Cosmopoliton (2010), YOU magazine (2009), Internet based magazines (health24), Longevity, Muslim views, tattler, Athlone news, Tattler, Southern Mail, Rondebosch medical centre newsletter, Longevity, etc.
- Community education – content contributor, guest and OB/GYN expert for all four seasons of educational programme called “pregnancy to parenting”. Broadcast from ITV networks all over Africa on DSTV, 2013-2016.
- Various community radio interviews promoting women’s health (Radio 786 health files, VOC radio) as a guest speaker and content contributor since 2004.
- Women’s health consultant and guest on various episodes of Islamic Medical Association’s Health Matters show on DStv, 2014- 2016.
- Women’s Health educational lectures at various mosques.
- Active involvement in Mowbray Maternity Hospital Centenary Project including media launch, gala dinner and proposed centenary celebrations in Dec 2016.
- Executive Trustee of The Student and Strategy Foundation (SA) – allowing for equal opportunity through education. The Trust involves developing policies and strategies for student and leadership development support It also provides and develops assistance and resources to deserving community members and organization for educational purposes.