Dr Ntokozo Nokukhanya Ngcobo

Health

Nominee's Province:
Kwazulu-natal

Project Name/Description:
Psychiatrist

More info:

An honorary lecturer at the department of psychiatry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Ntokozo Nokukhanya Ngcobo, 34, is a distinguished psychiatrist who specialise in brain health, particularly in the ageing population. “My interest in brain health and dementia care started early in my psychiatry career where I would review patients with cognitive complaints at memory clinics,” she explains. “People with dementia and their families, especially in the state sector, are often forgotten. Dementia care is not prioritised in South Africa.” Ngcobo has been working in specialised and outreach psychiatry services for the past nine years. “There are many cultural misconceptions surrounding dementia in SA, with symptoms attributed to witchcraft,” she adds. “There have been numerous reports of community killings of older people with dementia. These sad but avoidable realities drive me to strive to bring about a positive change for people with dementia.” She is on a one-year Atlantic fellow for Equity in Brain Health, the Global Brain Health Institute, in Trinity College, Ireland. “The programme provides training, networking and support to emerging leaders focused on improving brain health and reducing the global impact of dementia in local communities,” she concludes.