A medical doctor who offered free services to people who were protecting properties from being vandalised and looted during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal three weeks ago says he did this out of care for his community.
Dr Alstynn Pillay, 40, from Shelly Beach, a coastal town in KZN, offered the free consultation services at his own MD 24 practice he started in 2017 at the Shelly Boulevard Centre in Margate.
“I am a doctor that cares for the community. This is my calling. I decided to offer my services to the frontline community that was protecting the shops. I will stand up for my community,” said Pillay.
Pillay said when the violent unrest was happening, he took to WhatsApp groups he was part of and send messages that he is offering medical assistance to anyone who gets ill or injured while guarding property. “I can’t fight. I can only offer medical support for free. I don’t need anything in return. I just want to do my best and help out,” said Pillay.
The general practitioner treated seven patients in the process. He said none of the patients he treated had severe injuries. “Most of them just had colds from standing in the cold weather. Some had chest issues but nothing severe or serious. One had a semi-fractured foot,” he said.
Pillay said he relied on the word of those who came to him saying they were defending properties from being looted.
On a normal day, Pillay’s practice offers services such as general consultations, health check-ups, wound care, chronic disease management and emergency services. The father of two said he received countless messages of gratitude from his patients.
“They expressed how grateful they were. I am happy to serve,” he said.
Pillay, who has 16 years of experience as a doctor, obtained a Bachelor of medicine and surgery from JSS Medical College in Mysore, India, in 2004.
He started his professional career at Addington Hospital in Durban in 2005 until 2006. He also worked at the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital in Port Shepstone from 2008 to 2009.
Afterwards, he worked on various international SOS projects in Indonesia, Liberia and Nigeria as a senior medical officer, where he was providing emergency medical care to foreign nationals.
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