Gastroenterology
The Gastroenterology Service at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre is a highly specialized, multidisciplinary unit dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the digestive system, liver, pancreas and biliary tract. As part of South Africa’s only private academic hospital, the service combines clinical excellence, advanced technology and academic expertise to deliver world-class, patient-centred care.
The multidisciplinary team comprises specialist gastroenterologists, hepatologists and surgical gastroenterologists who work collaboratively with radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, dieticians and transplant specialists to achieve optimal outcomes for patients with routine and complex gastrointestinal conditions.
A cornerstone of the service is its advanced endoscopy unit, which provides a full spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including gastroscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, capsule endoscopy, and double balloon enteroscopy as well as specialized therapeutic interventions such as polypectomy, dilatation, variceal banding and endoscopic mucosal resection.
A key strength of the gastroenterology service is the close integration with the hospitals’ renowned hepatobiliary and transplant programs. The centre plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with advanced liver disease, offering access to liver transplantation and complex hepatobiliary care.
The gastroenterology service is actively involved in teaching, training and research which ensures that care is informed by the latest evidence and innovations in the field, while contributing to the development of future specialists in the field.
Hepatology
At Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, the Hepatology service provides expert, comprehensive care for patients with acute and chronic liver disease. The unit is recognized for its depth of expertise, multidisciplinary collaboration, and integration with one of South Africa’s foremost liver transplant programs.
Our team manages the full spectrum of liver conditions including viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and its complications, autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases, metabolic liver disorders, and liver tumours. We also provide specialised care for patients with advanced liver diseases, including portal hypertension, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and acute liver failure.
The unit offers access to advanced diagnostics and interventions which allow patients to benefit from evidence-based treatment protocols.
The hepatology unit is well known for its close collaboration with transplant surgeons, radiologists, intensivists, dieticians and allied healthcare professionals which ensures a seamless, patient-centred pathway from initial diagnosis and medical management through to transplant assessment, surgery and long-tern follow up.
Our focus is on delivering personalized, high quality care that improves outcomes, enhances quality of life and supports patients through every stage of liver disease.