one of South Africa’s women breaking barriers. He commended her “for inspiring us, motivating us and challenging us with your [life] and your determination” and for “demonstrating what is possible with perseverance, courage, collaboration, and partnership”.
Following her achievement, Dr Jilata noted that she hopes to bring her neuroscience capabilities into the local communities by overcoming stigma and scarcity of information around her field, in order to improve lives beyond the operating room. Accordingly, she intends to fund the education of students, particularly women, involved in neuro, who would complete their professional training and take up practice in hospitals and community clinics where neurological services aren’t available. “My aspiration is to have my own foundation which would take neuro to those who are disadvantaged,” she said. “By bringing services to them, I can play a part in changing communities, one life at a time.”