Dr Nikki Allorto greets two little patients who have come for their check-ups after suffering burn injuries. (Sue Segar/Spotlight) Burn injury has been described as the forgotten global public health crisis. Dr Nikki Allorto says while burns may be a neglected issue in South Africa, she is making sure her patients feel seen, heard and cared for.
Spotlight spent time with her on ward and clinic rounds at Greys Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. It's a wintry August morning and specialist surgeon Nikki Allorto strides fast along the corridors of Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, greeting fellow staff members in isiZulu. I'm joining her on her ward and Monday clinic rounds.
She's eager to get going after a weekend of not seeing her burn patients. "I need to check that everybody's OK and see who needs a dressing change," says Allorto, who is the head of the Pietermaritzburg Burn Service. Our first stop is Ward G2, the adult surgery ward, which has one cubicle for burn patients.
Allorto walks to the bedside of one of four women burn patients in the room – a still, silent figure wrapped in blankets. "Hello, my angel," says Allorto. "How are your legs today? We're going to have to turn you around.
We're doing your dressing today. Lift your head for me. I'm sorry.
" The severely ill woman responds almost inaudibly: "I missed you this weekend." Allorto will return to do the dressings at midday. "It will be a very painful two-hour effort," she tells me.
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