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Professor Hugh Philpott: A giant of South African medicine

Professor Hugh Philpott (1927-2020) died peacefully at his home in Durban in December. He was one of the gentle giants of South African medicine, health and human rights, writes Mark Heywood on Maverick Citizen.

Hugh Philpott was an obstetrician of international standing. Although coming from SA, he practised medicine in remote rural areas of Nigeria and Zimbabwe, before returning to South Africa. He was appointed as the second academic head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Natal in 1974.

Philpott was also a devout Christian throughout his life. He saw it as part of his calling that, despite practising medicine during the darkest days of apartheid, and at a time when the quality of healthcare was differentiated on the basis of race, he should be a shining light to students (black and white) and a model of ethics, service and concern to the poor communities he served.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal, announcing his death, pointed out how:

“He was globally recognised for the promotion of the graphic recording of labour which assisted in saving the lives of mothers and their babies during childbirth. This became known as the ‘Philpott Partograph’ and remains the basis of recording clinical events during the birthing process.

“He made a huge contribution to obstetrics in South Africa, Zimbabwe and globally with implementation of community midwifery and the use of the partogram, which encouraged safe deliveries at clinics by trained advanced midwives and referral pathways for complicated cases.”

For these reasons, Cambridge University Press includes Philpott in its book Eponyms and Names in Obstetrics and Gynecology. His extensive list of scientific publications is testament to his combining academia and medical practice.

Although Philpott’s name may not be known by many outside the medical profession, within it he is a giant. News of his death led to a flood of tributes from former students, mentees and people influenced by his example as a doctor and a humanitarian. Professor Helen Rees said that his partogram “has saved possibly millions of lives of children and mothers”. Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba called him a “great servant of the country”.

Maverick Citizen invited two leading health professionals to reflect on their memories of Philpott and his legacy:

According to Eddie Mhlanga (MB, ChB (Natal); Diploma in Maternal and Child Health (Natal); FCOG (SA); Obstetrician & Gynaecologist), first Director: Maternal, Child & Women’s Health, National Department of Health; Provincial Specialist, Mpumalanga:

Professor Philpott was a great teacher, mentor, innovator and father. He was human. Umuntu.

He was instrumental in facilitating health democracy in South Africa, championing human rights for women and children. He championed the promotion of sexual and reproductive rights, including the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths.

He struggled for the dignity and rights of students in Alan Taylor Residence (at the University of Natal). He opposed the apartheid tendencies in religious institutions and associations. He housed students during boycotts and periods of so-called unrest.

He met with the ANC in exile in Zambia and in Swaziland. He engaged a government minister during the occupation of Alan Taylor Residence by the army in 1977 in order to have the army withdrawn. Through his contacts, he facilitated the admission of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini into a British medical school to complete her medical degree.

His wife preceded him in transition in the early part of the lockdown. He is survived by his five children and grandchildren.

According to Dr John Gear (MBBCh, DPH, DTM&H, DSc (honoris causa) (all Wits), DPhil (Oxon), FCP(SA)) previously academic head of Community Health and then Academic Director of Wits Rural Facility; currently Medical Director, Tshemba Foundation working at Tintswalo Hospital:

Hugh epitomised the human being to whom we all aspire. Modest to a fault, caring beyond reason, a wonderful and internationally recognised clinician in his chosen field of obstetrics, inspiring teacher, passionate in his beliefs and convictions, a champion of women’s rights and dignity, and above all a role model to so many of us wondering about our role as white South Africans in the struggle.

 

[link url="https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-22-loss-of-another-giant-of-south-african-medicine-professor-hugh-philpott/"]Full Maverick Citizen report[/link]

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