Dr Natasha Naidoo General Surgeon Richards Bay

25/12/2025

Wishing you a safe and blessed season ❤️

12/12/2025

❤️

07/12/2025

❤️🔐 🎉 Sibo happy birthday my dear friend , from reg days to post fellowship we have remained friends I’m blessed to have u in my life

05/12/2025

🦠 C. DIFFICILE (C. DIFF) – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Dr Natasha Naidoo • General Surgeon

C. difficile is a bacteria that affects the colon and can cause severe diarrhoea, especially after antibiotic use.
🔹 What Causes It?
• Often triggered after antibiotics, which disturb the normal gut bacteria.
• This allows C. diff to grow and produce toxins that inflame the colon.
• More common in hospitalised patients, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.

🔹 How Does It Spread?
• Fecal–oral transmission → touching contaminated surfaces, then mouth.
• C. diff forms hardy spores that survive on beds, toilets, clothing, and hands.
• Poor hand hygiene is a major factor.
• Alcohol sanitizers do not kill spores — soap and water is essential.
🔹 Symptoms to Watch For
• Watery diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Severe cases can cause colitis, dehydration, and serious complications.
🔹 Treatment Options
• Stop the triggering antibiotic (if possible).
• Start targeted antibiotics such as vancomycin or fidaxomicin.
• Recurrent cases may need faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) to restore healthy gut bacteria.
• Severe cases may require surgical input.

🔹 Prevention
• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics.
• Wash hands with soap & water (not just sanitizer).
• Clean surfaces thoroughly in hospital or home care settings.

03/12/2025

So u start your day fresh , was so excited of my new lipstick in am , unfortunately by 1pm was completely off , which lipstick is best for female surgeons? Last the mask tests ,

25/11/2025

21/11/2025

⚕️ A Surgeon’s Stand: Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
From the Operating Room to the Community, GBV is a public health crisis we must confront. As a General Surgeon, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating physical trauma inflicted by violence. My duty extends beyond suturing wounds—it’s about advocating for safety and providing compassionate, comprehensive care.
My 3 Part Advice: What Everyone Needs to Know
1. Recognize the Signs (Beyond the Bruises)
Violence often leaves invisible scars. As healthcare providers (and as friends/family), we must look for patterns of injury, vague complaints, or behavior that suggests a patient is not safe.
• For Survivors: Your well-being is paramount. Please know that help is available. Any injury or health concern is a valid reason to seek medical care.
• For Professionals: Practice trauma-informed care. Create a private, non-judgemental space to ask about safety. Remember the WHO’s LIVES approach: Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance safety, Support.
2. Immediate Action & Medical Priority
Our primary goal is saving lives and treating injuries, but specialized care is also critical.
• Seek Care Immediately: If you or someone you know has been assaulted or injured, seek medical attention within 72 hours (especially for time-sensitive treatments like post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and emergency contraception).
• Evidence Collection: A medical examination can collect crucial evidence. You can receive care even if you choose not to report to the police immediately.
• Comprehensive Care: This includes treating physical injuries (which can range from simple trauma to complex surgical needs), and crucially, linking survivors with psychological and legal support services.
3. Prevention is the Cure
Surgery treats the effect, but we must address the cause—deep-rooted gender inequality.
No one should have to face this alone.

19/11/2025

When u smile , even when it’s a long day

14/11/2025

🌟 DIABETIC FOOT CARE – WHAT EVERY PATIENT SHOULD KNOW 🌟
👩🏽‍⚕️ From Dr. Natasha Naidoo, General Surgeon

Diabetes can affect the smallest parts of your body in the biggest ways — especially your feet. Good foot care isn’t just hygiene… it’s prevention, protection, and early detection.

Here’s what you should be doing every single day:

🦶 DAILY FOOT CHECK
• Look for cuts, cracks, blisters, swelling, colour changes or areas of warmth.
• Don’t forget between the toes!

🧼 KEEP FEET CLEAN & DRY
• Wash with warm (not hot) water.
• Dry well, especially between the toes.

🧴 MOISTURISE, BUT…
• Apply lotion to heels and soles.
• Avoid putting cream between the toes (risk of fungal infection).

👟 WEAR PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR
• Closed, supportive shoes every day.
• Avoid walking barefoot — even at home.

✂️ NAIL CARE
• Trim nails straight across.
• If you can’t reach, have them trimmed professionally.

⸻

🚨 WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IMMEDIATELY

If you have any of the following, see a doctor or surgeon ASAP:

⚠️ A new wound that isn’t healing
⚠️ Redness, swelling, warmth or increasing pain
⚠️ Discharge or foul smell
⚠️ Black/dark patches on the skin
⚠️ Fever with a foot wound
⚠️ Numbness or sudden loss of sensation
⚠️ Ingrown toenails with infection
⚠️ Cracks in the skin that keep reopening

Early treatment can save tissue, prevent serious infection, and in many cases — save the limb.

⸻

💬 If you’re diabetic, routine foot checks are just as important as your sugar control. Don’t wait for small problems to become big ones. Your feet carry you every day — let’s look after them.

09/11/2025

🩹 Weekend Surgical Tip
Did you know?
After any abdominal surgery, gentle walking helps reduce the risk of blood clots and improves bowel movement recovery.

Rest is important, but movement heals too.