Imagine a test that could identify your risk of chronic kidney disease early

Dr Siyabonga Khoza is making a crucial contribution to South African healthcare. His ground-breaking research focuses on identifying patients at risk of developing chronic kidney disease earlier than with current tests. This could help doctors provide treatment that would postpone the onset of end-stage renal failure.

With his Discovery Foundation Academic Fellowship Award, Dr Khoza will complete his PhD in chemical pathology, with a focus on detecting early markers for chronic kidney disease in black people.

"This research will enable me to bring new technology to South Africa, which should have a great impact on assisting medical professionals in the screening and early detection of chronic kidney disease," he says.

Early identification could reduce need for kidney transplants

Dr Khoza shares why he embarked on this research. "I was deeply troubled at the healthcare issues that our community faced, especially in the poor communities. I had the urge to assist, and I am hoping that this research will help those patients with kidney problems to access early treatment."

How would this new test make a difference to patients? Dr Khoza explains that current tests on patients with kidney disease don't identify issues as early as the new tests can.

"There has been a massive increase in kidney disease in South Africa, as rates of non-communicable diseases soar. Kidney disease is a complication of many of these conditions, which means the constant search for new markers for accurate diagnosis of chronic kidney disease is becoming crucial," he says.

Dr Khoza adds that there are few black PhD graduates in chemical pathology in South Africa. He is confident that undertaking this research for his doctorate will also equip him to mentor and supervise other postgraduate students in this field, thereby increasing the pool of skilled professionals.

"The job chose me; I didn't choose the job"

Dr Khoza is a consultant chemical pathologist at the National Health Laboratory Services at the University of the Witwatersrand. A chemical pathologist provides diagnostic services and interpretation of unusual and complex blood test results to doctors.

The 40-year-old was born in Mtubatuba, a rural town north of Richards Bay. He first enrolled for a BSc degree at University of Zululand, but then decided to study medicine. His first degree was laboratory-based, which he enjoyed immensely, he says. It was a natural progression from there to specialising in chemical pathology. "The job chose me; I didn't choose the job."

When did he first think he would become a doctor? Dr Khoza laughs. "I honestly don't know, because we were never really exposed to much of the medical world as children. My grandmother was my inspiration, and she taught me valuable lessons that have contributed to the person I have become, and motivated me to pursue my dreams," he says.

And his big dreams paid off. Today, Dr Khoza works in a field that studies and investigates the basis of disease processes, using biochemical tests to diagnose and manage disease.

"Generally, I act as a clinical liaison between laboratory medicine and clinical colleagues. My research interest is in nephrology and endocrinology, and I will focus on estimating kidney function in the South African population using the newer tests to identify individuals at risk of developing chronic kidney disease early," he explains.

But his life does not only consist of work. He loves reading and is an avid cricket fan. As a student, he worked in a sports shop for years to support himself and pay for his studies. His manager insisted that staff learned about all the different sports in which their clients participated. Somehow, the interest in cricket was the one that stuck.

This article was created for the 2020 Discovery Foundation Awards and has been edited for the Discovery Magazine.