Dr Deya Ramachandran is a partner in the Umhlanga-based cardiology practice of Drs YT Singh, Connel Barnabas, Aveen Mahabal and Deya Ramachandran.
Dr Deya Ramachandran is a young, dedicated cardiologist, one of only a few practising female cardiologists in KwaZulu-Natal, which makes her somewhat extraordinary: “This field of medicine is extremely demanding,” she says, “and it’s mostly male dominated. Achieving a well-balanced work-home life is a massive challenge.”
Both Deya’s parents are medical doctors – now retired – from South India, and when they moved with their children to South Africa, they joined the government medical sector. For Deya, their commitment to the profession and their stringent work ethic rubbed off on her: “I am who I am today, because of them. I work extremely hard because I grew up in an environment where hard work was a given and the only route to success. My parents encouraged me to follow medicine as a career, and it seemed my brain worked in that direction, so medicine was my choice. I can’t imagine having done anything else.”
Deya matriculated at Stanger Secondary School, a public school, studied medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, completed her internship at King Edward Hospital, her community service at Stanger Hospital, then was a medical officer in cardiology for six months: “That’s when my interest in cardiology took hold. I completed my internal medicine qualification in KwaZulu-Natal, then studied cardiology at Albert Luthuli hospital.” She smiles, “I’m passionate about cardiology, but there’s a part of me that chose it because it was not commonly chosen by women, and I love breaking down stereotypes. Women have a great deal to offer in this field.”
Deya rose to the challenge, and increasingly, her patients are women who, for religious or other reasons, are more comfortable consulting a female cardiologist.
Deya is married to Aveen Mahabal, a partner in the same practice – he qualified in 2019, and has been there for five years. Being raised by doctors, and living with a specialist, Deya is in an environment she knows extremely well. As the youngest member of the practice, it was very important to her to join a group of experienced cardiologists from whom she could learn: “And I’ve learned so much. It’s a great advantage being part of Drs YT Singh, Connel Barnabas, Aveen Mahabal and Deya Ramachandran. There are times when we have a challenging case, and this allows us to consult as a team with different opinions – through different eyes – about the diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It’s a good network and wonderful support system which is not only advantageous for us, as cardiologists, but for the patients, too.”
Deya enjoys all aspects of cardiology: “I can’t pinpoint which aspect I find most interesting. I find all equally rewarding. I manage heart failure, arrythmias, heart block, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, infective endocarditis and a whole host of pathologies. Coronary artery stenting, pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators are all routinely performed. For me, the most rewarding is when an acute myocardial infarction patient comes into trauma, and within 30 minutes, we’ve taken that patient in for stenting. We work in the catheterisation laboratory as a team, and the radiographer, catheterisation laboratory nurses and technologists are all an integral part of that team.”
Both Deya and husband Aveen, follow healthy lifestyles: “Well, to the best of our ability,” she says frankly, “given the juggling which is required by our demanding careers.
I grew up in a home where healthy eating and living was valued, and I do my utmost to follow that.”
Deya is interested in women’s health in cardiology, and she’s keen to promote it. “I’m committed to assisting my female patients to take steps to improve their lifestyles. I believe, as a female cardiologist, I have a great deal of insight to offer in that area.”
Details: www.cardiologists.co.za; 031 566 1600; reception@cardiologists.co.za