New day and fresh start for Jacky Mokhari (19)
Jacky Mokhari was overjoyed when the large keloid on his face was finally removed on Tuesday, 1 December at the Netcare Pholosho Hospital.
POLOKWANE – Having faced ridicule for most of his childhood due to a disfiguring keloid on his face, 19-year-old Jacky Mokhari was overjoyed when it was finally removed last Tuesday, 1 December at the Netcare Pholoso Hospital.
The Moletjie teen will now spend the rest of the festive season with a smile on his face, knowing his dream of having the keloids removed, finally came true.
BONUS reported on Jacky’s keloids in an article titled ‘Help at Last’, where his mother, Tryphosa spoke of the negative effect the growth had on her son.
Read more: Help at last for Jacky Mokhari
Jacky’s surgery and treatment was made possible thanks to a partnership between the Netcare Foundation, the Limpopo Department of Health, Netcare Pholoso Hospital and private healthcare practitioners, with a multi-disciplinary team; a reconstructive surgeon, radiation oncologist, anaesthetists, and dentists.
The procedure was done after his exams and was followed by three days of radiation treatment to prevent the keloid from re-occurring.
“The growth had become more and more difficult to live with. The surgeon and team have done a really great job of removing it,” he said. Jacky will also be provided with psychosocial support from a team of psychologists and social workers to assist him with reintegration into his community. The plastic surgery department at Mankweng Hospital will continue management of Jacky’s condition, which will include a minor follow-up surgery to complete the reconstruction.
The MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba commended the public and private health sectors for the collaboration. “As the Department of Health, we have made an undertaking to improve the health of the community. When I became aware of Jacky’s plight, my team immediately brought together various stakeholders to assist in changing his life,” Ramathuba said. She adds they appreciate the partnership and collaboration between their department, the foundation, Netcare Pholoso, the doctors and healthcare teams at Mankweng Hospital and Netcare Pholoso.
Dr Thendo Netshiongolwe, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who practises at Mankweng Hospital and Netcare Pholoso, who undertook the procedure, says he is delighted at the outcome. “My surgical team and I are pleased that we could assist Jacky and we fully expect the procedure and follow-up treatments to make a really meaningful difference in his life.” He added that Jacky’s unusually large keloid was rare.
Dr Tumelo Moyaba, an oncologist at Limpopo Oncology, said without the follow-up radiation treatment, the keloid would have an 80% chance of reccurring after the surgery, which is why it is such a necessary part of his therapy.
The Netcare foundation is covering the costs associated with Jacky’s hospital admission, surgical intervention and radiation oncology care. The department is providing the consumables and medication, follow-up care and management, long term psychosocial support and the pre- and post-op assessments.
Mande Toubkin, Head of Netcare’s Corporate Social Investment programme and director of the foundation, says they were delighted to fund Jacky’s procedure and care.
“We trust that the treatment will be completely life-changing for Jacky. The foundation therefore wholeheartedly supports cases such as Jacky’s and we wish him all the very best into the future,” she said.
A local driving school presented Jacky with a R4 000 voucher for free driving lessons and registration for learners and drivers license testing. They were joined by a local retail store who supplied him with a brand-new laptop, laptop bag, gaming earphones and a cellphone. The gifts are intended to help Jacky reintegrate back into the community.
