Meet UKZN’s Director of Student Health Services

Meet UKZN’s Director of Student Health Services

Dr Chauntelle Bagwandeen, a public health specialist in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) has taken on the vital role of Director of Student Health Services.

Bagwandeen boasts an impressive 25-year career dedicated to the full spectrum of health and wellness, anchored in a specialisation in Public Health Medicine. Her extensive experience spans strategic, innovative, and inclusive projects, ranging from policy development to successful implementation and budgeting. Her leadership prowess has been honed in diverse, multi-disciplinary environments, and she has a profound understanding of public health structures and systems.

A distinguished alumnus of UKZN, she holds a myriad of qualifications obtained through UKZN, including a medical degree, and Diplomas in Health Service Management and Occupational Health, as well as a Diploma in HIV and AIDS Management from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, a Fellowship of the College of Public Health Medicine of South Africa, and a PhD in Public Health Medicine.

In her recent role as Principal Specialist/lecturer in the Discipline of Public Health Medicine within the CHS, Bagwandeen demonstrated her commitment to education and mentorship. She served as the overall convenor of the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health and played a crucial role in shaping the curriculum for the first-year Medical degree, becoming a professional module. Her involvement as a module convenor for the National Health Systems, Primary Health Care, and Human Resource Management modules showcased her dedication to the development of well-rounded health professionals.

Bagwandeen’s extensive involvement in postgraduate and undergraduate teaching has seen her graduate six master’s students while supervising seven master’s students and two PhD students. She is also co-supervising a Masters of Medicine student and a Masters of Medical Sciences candidate, emphasising her commitment to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Her vast experience in public health, including roles as Principal Specialist in Public Health Medicine and as a Manager in the Human Resource Support Directorate at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, is a testament to her ability to navigate complex healthcare landscapes. Bagwandeen’s expertise extends to situational analyses, research project development, and the implementation of health systems research projects, focused on the eThekwini district.

As the overseer of the Wellness Component at the KZN Department of Health, she managed the HIV/AIDS in the Workplace, Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and Safety, and Gender Focal Point sub-directorates. Her responsibilities included policy development, financial management, personnel management, and client satisfaction, showcasing her comprehensive approach to healthcare management. In her commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS, Bagwandeen developed a workplace-specific policy for the Department of Health, guiding the internal response to the epidemic as an employer.

Professor Busisiwe Ncama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the CHS said, ‘As she takes on the Director of Student Health Services role at UKZN, Dr Bagwandeens’s goals are clear: to enhance service delivery, maximise limited resources, and prioritise the health and wellness of the University community. With her wealth of knowledge, leadership experience, and commitment to excellence, we are confident that she will make an indelible mark on our Student Health Services and contribute significantly to the well-being of our community. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Dr Bagwandeen. We look forward to a future of thriving health and wellness under her guidance.’

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Supplied