Paediatric professor given international award

Hard work and determination has paid of for Prof Rajendra Bhimma.

Prof Bhimma is a distinguished professor of paediatrics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and Head of the Paediatric Kidney Clinical Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH). He was recently awarded the prestigious Fellow of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) award. This honour recognises his exceptional professional career and significant contributions to the field of paediatric nephrology.

ISN Membership Manager, Ms Miriam Ravelo Gonzalez, made the official announcement at the World Congress of Nephrology (WCN), held in New Delhi, India, earlier this month.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Fellow of the International Society of Nephrology award. This award is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the incredible support and guidance I’ve received throughout my journey as a paediatric nephrologist,” said Prof Bhimma. “I am profoundly grateful to my mentors, the late Professor Hoosen Mohamed Coovadia and now retired Professor Miriam Adhikari, my dedicated students, my patients, and my family, who have been instrumental in my professional growth.”

Prof Bhimma holds an MBChB from the former University of Natal, a PhD in Paediatrics and Child Health, and has completed specialised training in paediatric nephrology, earning the ISN Fellowship in 1999. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the David Hepburn Award and several Medical Research Council grants for his research on kidney diseases in children. He has also been recognised for his significant contributions to the medical field, having been named one of South Africa’s top 100 achievers by The Mail & Guardian in 2003.

Prof Bhimma is celebrated for his leadership, which extends to international and national bodies, including the International Paediatric Nephrology Association; he is an Executive Member of the South African Nephrology Society and President and Executive Member of the Southern African Hypertension Society. His expertise is frequently sought after, with appointments as an examiner for various academic institutions and as a reviewer for research grants and scientific journals.

His research work has been widely published, focusing on paediatric nephrology and other related fields, solidifying his reputation as a leading expert, said the Academic Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and Africa Health Research Institute faculty member Prof Refiloe Masekela.

“It is wonderful to see one of our nephrologists receiving such prestigious international recognition. Prof Bhimma has made significant contributions to paediatric nephrology, particularly in the field of HIV nephropathy, and it is gratifying to see his work being acknowledged. As UKZN continues to pursue internationalisation as a key goal, this achievement further highlights the university’s presence on the global stage,” said Prof Masekela.