Cancercare is very excited to welcome two new doctors to our Gqeberha (PE) Oncology Unit: Dr Farag Omar and Dr Marike Samoo. Their expertise, dedication, and passion for oncology will undoubtedly strengthen our team and enhance patient care.
Dr. Farag Omar
Originally from Libya, Dr. Omar obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) in 2009 from the University of Benghazi. He began his medical career as an Intern at Benghazi Medical Center (2009–2010) and subsequently worked as a Medical Officer in Internal Medicine at the same institution until 2015.
In 2015, Dr. Omar moved to South Africa, where he has been a member of both the Libyan General Medical Council (since 2010) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (since 2015). He is also a member of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO).
His specialisation in oncology began in 2016 as a Registrar in the Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban. From 2017 to 2020, he continued his registrar training at Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. In 2020, he earned his Master of Medicine in Oncology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and became a Fellow of the College of Oncology of South Africa (FC Rad Onc, CMSA).
Since August 2020, Dr. Omar has served as a Consultant in Clinical and Radiation Oncology at Greys Hospital, where he played an active role in training junior registrars and medical officers while contributing to academic programs.
His research interests include prostate cancer, and he has studied the correlation between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and bone scan findings in patients with prostate cancer at Greys Hospital. He presented this research at the first South African Congress of Oncology in 2019 in Cape Town.
Dr. Marike Samoo
Dr. Samoo completed her MBChB at the University of Pretoria (2010–2015) and has since cultivated a diverse career in medicine and oncology. She began her career with an internship at the Pietermaritzburg Hospital Complex from 2016 to 2017, followed by community service at Kimberley Hospital in 2018. It was during this time that she developed a passion for oncology and chose to remain in the Department of Oncology as a Medical Officer. In 2019, she joined an outreach program at Dr. Harry Surtie Hospital in Upington, where she travelled monthly to provide specialized oncological care.
From March 2020 until June 2024, Dr. Samoo worked as a Registrar in Radiation Oncology at Universitas Academic Hospital, where she focused on advancing her expertise to become a specialist in the field.
A strong advocate for palliative care, Dr. Samoo completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care through the University of Cape Town. She has also participated in numerous spiritual and palliative care workshops, reinforcing her commitment to treating patients holistically (physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually).
Dr. Samoo is dedicated to building trusted relationships with her patients, offering support and hope throughout their cancer treatment journey.
We are privileged to have Dr. Omar and Dr. Pretorius join Cancercare. Their dedication, skill, and compassionate approach to oncology care will undoubtedly make a meaningful impact on our patients and the wider community.
Welcome to the Cancercare family!