Industry news: KZN paediatrician awarded paediatric pulmonology fellowship

The R300 000 fellowship is part of Altana Madaus' commitment to facilitate the development and transformation of paediatric pulmonology, and they are perfectly positioned to do so as specialists in the respiratory field. It also forms part of Altana Madaus' capacity building program linked to their sponsorship of clinical research in South Africa.

Dr. Kitchin says the fellowship is a great opportunity to pursue the speciality of his choice, early in his career. “Pulmonologic paediatrics is seen as a sub-speciality in South Africa and is not as established as the adult sector, thus the Altana Madaus fellowship is important as it ensures the field is developed. A large percentage of our population is under the age of 12, yet there are less than ten paediatric pulmonologists in the country.”

The Scientific Affairs Director for Altana Madaus, Louis Venter notes there are only a handful of black qualified paediatric pulmonologists in South Africa. “Altana Madaus are largely involved in the production of respiratory drugs and thus very committed to improving and supporting this speciality.”

As part of the fellowship's requirements, Dr. Kitchin plans on conducting his research around paediatric ICU's and pulmonologic resources in South Africa. “Every medical field makes use of the ICU and it would be interesting to look at what scoring systems are in place to effectively monitor how medical resources are being used in South Africa, particularly in ICU.”

He notes that his fascination with respiratory medicine began while completing his under graduate studies in paediatrics. “Children are very honest and when it hurts will cry and let you know that something hurts, despite the fact that they may be too young to talk. One soon learns to interpret these cries and know when a condition is serious or not.”

Dr. Kitchin would like to urge other large corporates to take heed and follow in the footsteps of Altana Madaus. “There is not enough government funding to support important specialities such as pulmonologic paediatrics, so it is crucial that large organisations get involved and support young medical professionals who choose to pursue specialities where funding is limited.”

Altana Madaus is a joint venture between two multinational pharmaceutical companies operating as one in South Africa with two divisions. Altana focuses on internationally researched, clinically proven prescription brands while Madaus, with highly effective medicines of plant origin together with health-promoting products with an OTC focus.

Louis Venter notes that Altana Madaus is committed to sponsor another two fellowships in the next 2-3 years as part of their capacity building program. “We are committed to research and development of innovative medicine in the respiratory field.”

Dr. Kitchin will be taking up this fellowship at the University of Pretoria.

Louis Venter
Altana Madhaus
011 804-2915