Medical Sciences Reaches Out to Primary School

Medical Sciences Reaches Out to Primary School

A team of academics from UKZN’s School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences (SLMMS) left learners at Phoenix Heights Primary School fascinated about the functioning of the human body as well as the important role healthcare professionals play in ensuring that people understand and take good care of their bodies in order to live long and healthy lives.

The academics, who were part of the school’s Grade 7 Career Day, presented eye-catching anatomy models and invited volunteers to participate in fun-filled experiments.

School Principal, Mrs Monica Singh, said the day that is part of the learners’ Life Orientation curriculum, is designed to expose them to various careers as they need to start thinking about their future from a young age. She advised learners to ‘Explore different subjects at school. This will also help you in your journey of self-discovery… Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination.’

The academics outlined the various career opportunities in the medical sciences, over and above studying to become a nurse or a doctor. They encouraged the learners to fall in love with mathematics and the world of science and technology, explaining that good grades in these subjects would prepare them to study for careers in the health sector.

They also highlighted the various disciplines that make up the SLMMS including Anatomical Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Clinical Anatomy, Forensic Pathology, Haematology, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Microbiology, Physiology and Virology.

Furthermore, the School is home to world-class centres of excellence such as the HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP), KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Optics and Imaging Centre, and the Biomedical Resource Unit.

Words and photographs: Lunga Memela