Doctor Rihangwele Mukhinindi is on a mission to transform cancer care in rural communities; empowering healthcare workers and patients!
Limpopo, South Africa (05 February 2025) — In recognition of World Cancer Day (celebrated on 4 February), we’re turning the spotlight to those working tirelessly to improve cancer care in their communities. One such individual on this brand of mission is Dr Rihangwele Mukhinindi—a doctor who is transforming the care patients receive in rural Limpopo.
Inspired to get into medicine from a young age, Dr Mukhinindi used to frequent a small clinic on the army base where her father served in the South African National Defence Force. Her time at the clinic planted the seed for her to dream of becoming a doctor one day, a title she now wears proudly.
Reflecting on her early years, she affectionately recalls the support she received from her late mother who used to call her “doctor” when Dr Mukhinindi was still only a child.
“She was my biggest cheerleader,” the doctor says of her mom.
To get her foot in the door of healthcare, Dr Mukhinindi enrolled in a nursing programme at first–something that would prove to be a hugely important foundation
“I realised that in nursing, you start interacting with patients within months, which gave me the experience and empathy I now bring into my work as a doctor,” she explains.
Today, Dr Mukhinindi is based at Lebowakgomo Hospital in Limpopo where she is a family physician whose work focuses on training more healthcare workers to improve the early diagnosis, treatment and palliative care for cancer patients.
This particular focus came as the result of wanting to uplift her community in areas they were underserved.
“Most of our patients are elderly and may not easily access cancer information,” Dr Mukhinindi says. As such, she became determined to ensure that community health workers are better trained and better equipped.
To this, Dr Mukhinindi launched an initiative to incorporate cancer screening into routine check-ups for chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
“We wanted to equip our healthcare workers to ask the right questions when patients come in for their check-ups.”
For example, male patients receiving blood pressure medicine are now screened for symptoms of prostate cancer. Albeit a common disease, it is also one that often slips under the radar in the community.
In a big moment for herself and her work, Dr Mukhinindi was recognised by the Discovery Foundation Rural Individual Award (2023/2024); a grant she has used to support her efforts, especially through designing a five-day training programme for doctors, nurses and community health workers from 17 clinics across Limpopo.
Thanks to the programme, to date over 100 healthcare workers have been trained to detect early signs of cancer and provide care!
Of her commitment to her community, Dr Mukhinindi shares:
“You’re giving hope to people who often think that they have no options left. It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone’s face light up when they realise there’s help available.”
As Dr Mukhinindi continues her imperative work, she remains drive by the belief that quality healthcare should be accessible to all.
“Together, we can create a future where everyone, regardless of where they live, has access to the care and support they need to fight cancer.”
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