“Incredible Milestone”: Cape Town Doctors Perform Africa’s First Microwave Thyroid Ablation

• Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town made history by carrying out Africa’s first microwave thyroid ablation procedure
• The procedure was performed with the guidance of UK specialist Dr Gibran Timothy Yusuf using the Terumo TATO microwave ablation platform
• The milestone is part of a broader plan to build a Centre of Excellence for thyroid ablation that will serve state-sector patients across Africa

Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town made history as the site of Africa’s first microwave thyroid ablation procedure. Cape Town Interventional Radiology (CTIR) announced the achievement on Facebook on 26 August 2026, sharing the news alongside UCT Interventional Radiology and Groote Schuur Hospital.

The procedure used the Terumo TATO microwave ablation platform and was carried out under the guidance of Dr Gibran Timothy Yusuf, a specialist from the United Kingdom brought in to help transfer skills to local medical professionals.

A breakthrough for state-sector patients

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This milestone carries extra weight because of who it is meant to serve. The service is being developed specifically for state-sector patients at Groote Schuur Hospital, expanding access to advanced minimally invasive treatment for people who may not otherwise have been able to access it.

For patients with benign thyroid nodules, microwave ablation offers a meaningful alternative to conventional surgery. It is less invasive, preserves thyroid function and comes with a shorter recovery time.

The team behind the procedure made clear that this was never only about being first. Their post described the achievement as representing skills transfer, the development of sustainable local expertise and the foundation for a future Centre of Excellence and training platform for thyroid ablation in South Africa and across the continent.

See the Facebook post below:

Mzansi reacts to the historic procedure

South Africans flooded the comments section with pride and gratitude:

@Raymond Harper said:

“Congratulations to Cape Town Interventional Radiology, UCT Interventional Radiology, Groote Schuur Hospital and Dr Gibran Timothy Yusuf on this pioneering achievement.”

@Ludfia Albertus wrote:

“What an incredible milestone. Africa’s first microwave thyroid ablation procedure is a huge step forward in medical innovation.”

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@Scelo Mncwango shared:

“My mother, who is 84 years old, had her thyroid destroyed using a single pill, and I am not sure if that is the best procedure as compared to this one. I am not a doctor, but I think she is doing well after that. Thanks to all medics who save lives.”

@Sharon Maart Bowers added:

“Well done doctors.”

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Source: Briefly News