Dr. Muthuphei Netshinombelo

Dr. Muthuphei Netshinombelo is a maternal, sexual, and reproductive health expert with over 20 years of experience. As Director of the Maternal, Child, Women’s Health, and Nutrition Program at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, she has led initiatives to reduce maternal mortality and improve access to respectful SRH services. Her work includes policy development, research, and campaigns such as the Pap smear initiative, which reached over 2,000 women.

She has successfully implemented evidence-based policies, strengthened health systems, and improved service access for vulnerable populations. Key achievements include launching the PUBSMIAM campaign, reducing maternal deaths, establishing human milk banks, and piloting midwife-led birthing units. She also significantly reduced the cervical cancer treatment waiting period from eight months to six weeks through healthcare worker training and equipment distribution.

Dr. Netshinombelo holds multiple qualifications, including a PhD from the University of Venda and an MPH from the University of Limpopo. She has received multiple KZN Health MEC Awards for her leadership in cervical cancer screening.

Fun Fact: A self-proclaimed Coke aficionado, she drinks up to three cans a day—ironically, despite being diabetic!