Cancer treatment saves lives… but it can also place immense strain on the heart. That’s why this pioneering South African centre is being celebrated internationally for doing both: treating cancer while protecting heart health.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (12 January 2026) – At Netcare uMhlanga Hospital on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast, a specialised team is changing what cancer care can look like when it’s built to protect not only lives, but hearts too. And the world is taking notice.
Africa’s first and only Cardio-Oncology Centre of Excellence at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital has once again been recognised by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS), with its certification renewed for a further three years. It’s a major international nod to South African excellence in one of healthcare’s most important and fast-growing fields. The centre was established in 2019 by cardiologist and certified cardio-oncologist Dr YT (Trishun) Singh, to meet the urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, where cardio-oncologists work alongside oncologists and haematologists to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
“We congratulate Dr YT Singh on this major achievement that underlines the importance of evidence-based, data-driven interventions for protecting the heart health of people during cancer therapies,” says Dr Erich Bock, managing director of Netcare’s hospital division.
He also credited Dr Singh with growing skills and strengthening local knowledge in this emerging speciality.
“Dr Singh has been instrumental in upskilling our local clinicians and building South African expertise in the field, emphasising heart health within cancer care, which is essential for the best and safest standards of health and care aligned with international guidelines,” says Dr Bock.
Many people don’t realise that nearly all classes of chemotherapy and radiation to the chest may cause cardiovascular complications, known as cardiotoxicity, which can increase a patient’s long-term risk of heart problems.
“Cardiotoxicity does not just involve the heart muscle, but may also include heart rhythm disturbances, arteries and veins, heart valves, pericardium, and conduction system,” explains Dr Singh, founder of the Cardio-Oncology Society of Southern Africa (Cososa), who leads the Centre of Excellence.
Photo Credit: Netcare | Supplied
Cardiotoxicity risk is often increased when patients already have underlying cardiac disease or comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking history and obesity.
“Anyone due to have potentially cardiotoxic cancer therapy should therefore have a baseline cardio-oncology assessment by an appropriately skilled cardiologist with cardio-oncology training,” Dr Singh says.
In line with international guidelines, ongoing assessment during cancer therapy and post-therapy surveillance is considered essential.
“The earlier people undergoing cancer treatment are identified as being potentially at risk for cardiotoxicity, the sooner we can begin interventions to help prevent or minimise damage to the heart,” says Dr Singh.
He adds that radiation therapy may also lead to heart-related damage that only becomes visible years later, which is why long-term monitoring matters so much.
Thea Janse van Rensburg, general manager of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital, praised Dr Singh and the team for maintaining consistent excellence in such a specialised medical field.
“This achievement is testament to the expertise, hard work and dedication of the team in upholding consistency of care in this highly specialised field of medicine,” she says.
And perhaps that’s the biggest win in all of this… global recognition for a homegrown centre that is leading the way in protecting cancer patients, not only through treatment, but long after it.
Source: Netcare Press Release
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