Dr Yashica Khalawan
MBCHB (UKZN), Adv dip in Aesthetic Medicine(FPD)

General Practitioner
Dr Khalawan has over 6 year’s experience as a general practitioner. Having worked in a non-surgical aesthetic practice for the past 3 years she is now completing her post-graduate diploma in dermatology through the University of Plymouth(UK) with an interest to move back into the government sector with a keen interest in internal medicine and primary health care.

As a young mother Dr Khalawan enjoys networking with fellow women in medicine to learn from each other academically and socially in order to improve work life balance.

Special interests:

• Preventive healthcare: To promote health and wellbeing in individuals and communities with a view to prevent disease, disability and death.
• Primary health care
• Internal medicine and diagnostics
• General dermatology
• Networking , empowerment and mentorship women in medicine

1. Immune boosting - myths and facts -Back to work and school how to keep the family healthy.
“Immune boosting” is a trending topic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The concept of “immune-boosting” is scientifically misleading and often used to market unproven products and therapies. Focus on optimal nutrition and dietary intake to ensure your body is in a proper state to fight the virus.

2. Cervical cancer awareness month (Jan) International HPV awareness ( 11 Feb- 27th March )
Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women. The primary cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer can often be prevented by having regular screenings to find any precancerous lesions and treat them, as well as receiving the HPV vaccine. Discussion around regular pap smear and vaccination against hpv.

3. Healthy lifestyle awareness day ( Feb 15th )
According to WHO, 60% of related factors to individual health and quality of life are correlated to lifestyle. Millions of people follow an unhealthy lifestyle. Hence, they encounter illness, disability and even death. Problems like metabolic diseases, joint and skeletal problems, cardio-vascular diseases, hypertension, overweight, violence, can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Tips on how to follow a healthy lifestyle. How do I make the change?

4. World TB Day ( 24th March )
Tuberculosis (TB) causes more deaths than any other infectious disease in the world. Globally the slow return to services after COVID-19 lockdowns could lead to an additional 6.3 million cases of TB during 2020–2025 and an additional 1.4 million TB deaths. This will set the world back five to eight years in the global fight against TB. Review on the differences in prevention and symptoms of TB and COVID-19.

5. Sleep hygieneWorld sleep Day (March 13th) National sleep awareness week ( March 1-7 )
Sleep is critical to physical health and effective functioning of the immune system. It’s also a key promoter of emotional wellness and mental health, helping to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.Whether you’ve had sleeping problems before COVID-19 or if they’ve only come on recently, there are concrete steps that you can take to improve your sleep during this global pandemic.