A new chapter in paediatric care has begun in Komani with the arrival of Dr Sisanda Siqithi, a dedicated paediatrician committed to transforming how children’s health is approached, starting from the earliest years.
At the Paediatric Wellness Centre at 59 Grey Street, Komani, (formerly Dr Babalwa Qina’s
rooms), Dr Siqithi is focused on a powerful truth: early diagnosis saves lives.
She believes identifying developmental, behavioural, and medical conditions early can profoundly shape a child’s future wellbeing.
Her practice supports children from birth through adolescence, a crucial, often overlooked stage where young people face unique physical, emotional, and social challenges.
“This transition period is a grey area for many,” she says.
“But with the right support, we can set them up for lifelong health.” Dr Siqithi has a special interest in assessing and managing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, learning difficulties, and other behavioural conditions. But her mission goes beyond diagnosis —she wants to build community awareness and foster inclusion.
“I want families to understand these conditions without fear,” she says. “And I want children to grow up knowing they belong.”
With compassionate, evidence-based care, Dr Siqithi is not just treating illnesses, she’s helping Komani raise healthier, more supported generations.
Her journey in paediatrics began with her internship at Frere Hospital, where she trained in the paediatric department.
“It was an incredibly rewarding experience. The feedback and recognition I received there surpassed what I saw in other medical disciplines —it confirmed my passion for children’s health.”
That confidence inspired her to pursue a community service placement in a paediatric ward, where she went on to successfully manage the paediatric unit at Madzikane kaZulu District Hospital.
Her dedication caught the attention of the late Prof Nazo, who recruited her to advance her training in paediatrics at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, a turning point in her career.
Today, Dr Siqithi sees a range of conditions, including developmental delays, behavioural disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.
She stresses that many parents delay seeking help.
“Children often present with developmental or behavioural challenges, but many parents
believe they’ll ‘grow out of it’ or think it’s inherited and untreatable, ” she says.
“Because of this, they don’t seek early intervention.
“By the time they come in, we’re no longer preventing, we’re managing long-term consequences.”
For Dr Siqithi, early action isn’t just medical care it’s a chance to change a child’s entire future.
Through the practice she also manages chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and eczema, with an emphasis on ongoing care and disease control.
She notes that monitoring growth and development — including issues such as obesity — is a key part of their work, as these concerns are often missed by parents during early stages.
The practice operates on weekday afternoons, and does not see patients on weekends or public holidays.
