Young doctor no stranger to PA
CANDICE BRADFIELD
PRETORIA-BORN Dr Casper Prinsloo is no stranger to Port Alfred, having visited the area on holiday sometimes twice a year, since the age of eight.
Prinsloo also did his community service at Port Alfred Hospital and has been working there in a private capacity for the past three months.
"Port Alfred is like a second home to me,” he said.
| NEW DOCTOR IN TOWN: Dr Casper Prinsloo, who hails from Pretoria, is opening his own practice at 44 Van der Riet Street later this month Picture: CANDICE BRADFIELD |
As a child he spent six tough months in hospital and it was his own doctor who was key to his recovery who inspired him to go into the field.
"My interest in medicine started from there,” he said.
After studying at Wits University he did his internship and community service at Johannesburg General, Helen Joseph, Tembisa and Chris Hani Baragwanath hospitals in Gauteng before fulfilling his service requirements at Port Alfred Hospital.
For him the hardest part of studying medicine was treating children suffering from cancer and trying to give them hope.
"It's not pleasant, but it is rewarding,” he said.
He finished about three months ago and since then has been working for private doctors at the hospital.
The most fulfilling part of his job is seeing someone recover well and knowing that you made a difference in their life.
"I thrive on that,” he said.
Prinsloo has a range of interests varying from arts and culture to skydiving. On weekends he is either flying models with the radio control club or getting his adrenaline junkie fix at the motorsports in Port Elizabeth or East London.
He will be opening his own practice at 44 Van der Riet Street opposite the My Pond Centre on July 16. His contact number is (046) 624-5299.
He hopes to stay in Port Alfred and specialise in about four years' time in neurosurgery, paediatrics or emergency medicine. His interest in neurosurgery started during his internship and community service when he was exposed to every field and subfield there is as a result of the variety of cases at the bigger hospitals.
Prinsloo said this was a more selfish choice as he just finds it a very interesting subject but does not really entail dealing with the patients. Paediatrics would be a natural choice as he is good with children.
He also likes to help through emergency medicine as working in casualty gives medical practitioners the chance to see the difference they are making and can also provide comfort for the family.
