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Keertan Dheda

Pulmonologist and professor

By South African Index Editorial Desk · Published

Portrait of Professor Keertan Dheda.
Photograph: John.k.newton · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP for this site.

Keertan Dheda is a South African clinician-scientist specialising in tuberculosis and respiratory medicine. He heads UCT’s Division of Pulmonology and directs the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity. He received the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver in 2026. [1][3][4]

Biography

The University of Cape Town identifies Dheda as head of the Division of Pulmonology and director of the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity at the UCT Lung Institute. His research focuses on tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment, transmission and drug resistance, alongside clinical work in respiratory medicine. [1][2]

UCT credits Dheda with leading a multicountry study of a urine-based LAM diagnostic test involving more than 2,500 patients. The university states that the findings helped underpin World Health Organization guidance for use of the test in selected patients with HIV and tuberculosis. [1]

His work has also addressed drug-resistant tuberculosis, airborne transmission and implementation of diagnostic tools in high-burden settings. UCT records a joint appointment at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and his role as a strategic adviser to national and international health bodies. [3][2]

Dheda received the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver in 2026. The Presidency cited his contribution to pulmonology and the global management of tuberculosis and other respiratory infections. [4][3]

Key contributions

Led clinical and translational research on tuberculosis diagnostics, transmission and drug resistance, including studies that informed international guidance. [1][3]

Built research and clinical capacity through UCT’s Division of Pulmonology and Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity. [2]

Career timeline

  1. Led research on tuberculosis diagnostics and drug-resistant disease at UCT. [1]

  2. Received the Princess Chichibu Memorial TB Global Award, announced at the World Conference on Lung Health. [3]

  3. Received the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver. [4]

Sources

  1. University of Cape Town, Professor Keertan Dheda. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
  2. University of Cape Town Department of Medicine, Pulmonology. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
  3. University of Cape Town, Prestigious global award for Prof Keertan Dheda, 2026-02-27. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
  4. The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, The Presidency announces recipients of National Orders, 2026-05-14. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩