Limpopo man cries for help after living with huge facial keloid for nearly 20 years.
The 24-year-old man from Limpopo is desperately seeking assistance after spending almost two decades living with a massive keloid on the side of his face.
ALSO READ | Young boy passes away due to cancer affecting his eyes
Tshwarelo Makopo, from Khoreng Village in Zebediela, said his nightmare started when he was just five years old.
“I was still in primary school. It started as a small pimple and it kept growing as I grew,” said Tshwarelo.
His heartbreaking plea for help recently went viral on social media after he was visited by Dr Ephraim Kgoete from the Khayalami Foundation, an organisation that assists patients in need of medical and surgical help.
“Right now, I need assistance to get an operation,” he said.
Tshwarelo claimed he has been in and out of hospitals for years without success.
“I first went to Magatle Hospital and later I was transferred to Pietersburg Hospital. From there I was sent to Dr George Mukhari Hospital, where I was admitted for five weeks.
“But I still didn’t get help. Doctors said the operation was risky and could cause heavy bleeding or the keloid could come back,” he claimed.
Tshwarelo said the last time he visited a hospital for help was in 2016.
His mum, Mme Makopo, said the family never gave up hope but didn’t know where else to turn.
“Our problem was that we didn’t know where to get help after visiting so many hospitals without any assistance,” she said.
In a statement, Dr Kgoete said the Khayalami Foundation has launched a donation drive and has also appealed to the Limpopo Department of Health to intervene.
“The consequences of this reality have been multi-dimensional. The patient has endured mockery, stigma and discrimination within his community. His mother has also been emotionally affected,” said Dr Kgoete.
“We urgently call on the Limpopo Department of Health to intervene.”
ALSO READ | Sabelo Gumede seeking for help as he is suffering from cancer
“We also call on the public and stakeholders to stand in solidarity with Tshwarelo and his family through donations.”
The Limpopo Department of Health is yet to respond.
