The School of Medicine proudly celebrates Professor Somasundram Pillay, Specialist Physician at Victoria Mxenge Hospital and Professor of Internal Medicine at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.
He has been named Outstanding Researcher in Internal Medicine and will be recognised at the 8th Venus International Healthcare Awards (VIHA 2025) to be held in Chennai, India, this December.
The Venus International Foundation (VIF) is a globally recognised academic organisation that celebrates excellence in science, medicine, engineering, and healthcare. Since 2017, the VIHA Awards have honoured clinicians, educators, and innovators who have significantly advanced healthcare practice worldwide. Recipients are selected by an independent expert committee and endorsed by the Foundation’s Governing Council.
Being chosen for this award places Pillay among a distinguished global network of healthcare leaders committed to reliability, innovation, and excellence in Medicine.
Pillay has been at the forefront of transforming diabetes care in KwaZulu-Natal and across South Africa. His initiatives include:
• Introducing point-of-care Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) testing into public health facilities;
• Developing multidisciplinary models of diabetes care tailored for local contexts;
• Collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) on global COVID-19 studies.
His groundbreaking research, published in leading international journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and the South African Medical Journal, addresses the complex interactions between diabetes, HIV, hypertension, and infectious diseases.
Beyond his clinical and research contributions, Pillay has played a vital role in medical education and mentorship. He has supervised and examined numerous MMed and PhD candidates, shaping the future of South Africa’s physician-scientists. He also serves as an examiner for the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and contributes to global scholarship through editorial roles in prominent medical journals.
Pillay’s international recognition follows a string of prestigious accolades, including the International Hospital Federation Gold Award (2017), the Minister of Health Gold Awards for Innovation in Diabetes Care and Doctor of the Year, and his advisory role to the National Department of Health on non-communicable diseases.
“Receiving this recognition on an international stage is both humbling and affirming,” said Pillay. “It underscores the importance of advancing patient care in resource-limited environments and the global relevance of our work here in South Africa.”
