Dr Somdyala is a graduate nurse and midwife, who specialized in nursing administration and education. She was employed by the Department of Health and worked as a clinical instructor and nurse educator at Butterworth Nursing College from 1983-1995. She pioneered capacity development planning for hospital personnel and was based in St Patrick’s Hospital; in Bizana from 1995-1998. As a seasoned Senior Scientist and Head of the Eastern Cape Cancer Registry, Ntuthu’s special interests include cancer surveillance, epidemiology to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality in general; and survival studies to improve health systems for better survival. Guided by her expertise she is committed to reducing cervical cancer morbidity and mortality through screening and health education.