All About Dr Belete Woldu
I was born and raised in Ethiopia and graduated from Addis Ababa University in 1995. After 18 months of community service in rural Ethiopia, I moved to Swaziland where I worked as a medical officer at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini from 1997 to 2003. Most of the time which was spent in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department.
In January 2004, my wife Eleanor and our son Marques moved to Pietersburg South Africa, where I worked as Principal Medical Officer in The Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at Pietersburg Hospital until 2006. Our daughter Caitlin was born in Polokwane in 2004.
During January 2007 I was offered a post at New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town as the Principal Medical Officer, and in February 2008 I enrolled at the University of Cape Town to specialise in Obstetrics and Gynecology. During my 4 years of training, I rotated between the different hospitals affiliated to UCT.
After qualifying in May 2012 as a Fellow of the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, I worked at Mowbray Maternity Hospital as a consultant in Obstetrics And Gynaecology for a year. In August 2013 I was relocated to Limpopo to assist with the serious shortage of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the province – I remained here for 3 years as a specialist and acting Clinical Unit Manager.
In February 2016 I was granted my licence to practice privately, which coincided with the timing of the opening of Tokai Melomed hospital in Cape Town. This was just perfect, as it fulfilled a long-held dream of mine to return to Cape Town as a private practitioner.
I became an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist because, very early in my medical training, I was captured by the miracle of life and the awesome gift of pregnancy and childbirth. I felt privileged to be a part of this beautiful process and my ability to serve humankind in this way.
Later, as I gained experience, I realised how vulnerable the majority of women become during pregnancy and childbirth and how inadequate the support some of them received were from busy hospital staff. I feel honoured to join the many excellent Obstetricians and Gynecologists who serve the women of this country every day and make a positive contribution.
I enjoy spending time with my kids and wife whether doing homework, watching soccer with my son or going to the movies.
To Dr Woldu and his staff:
Receptionist/ Tarryn – Thank you for putting up with all our phone calls & emails, you were really patient with us!
Midwife/ Madelyn – Thank you for all your kind words and always being so loving and caring!
Dr Woldu – You have been a blessing to Melvin and I, Once again thank you!
From the first time I called Dr Woldu’s rooms, I was greeted by Tarryn’s sweet voice. Incredibly friendly and so helpful. She feels more like a friend than my OBGYN’s front of house Meeting Madeleine for the first time was like catching up with an old friend. Each time I felt like I was visiting family.
In fact, with Eleanor at the head of this ship as Practice Manager, that is exactly how this team makes you feel. Like family. The good kind lol.
I went into labour with my twins on new year’s eve, the countdown was barely over and Dr Woldu was at my side. Calm as ever. He gave me something every other doctor said I would never have. Natural delivery of both my boys, at 35 weeks, without any pain medication. 100% raw! Though we knew Twin A would be stillborn, Dr Woldu allowed us to celebrate his “birth”, I got to hold my son, study his face and I felt safe with Dr Woldu right there. The birth of my second twin was as miraculous as the first.
I had the most amazing birthing experience. Bittersweet at the loss of my first twin, but I always knew we were all in the best hands possible.
Dr Woldu, Eleanor, Tarryn and Madeleine; I really can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me and my family. You guys are so awesome, I am almost ready to have another baby