Six boys underwent a minimally invasive procedure to correct their undescended testes at the Cure Day Hospital in Bloemfontein on Thursday (13/6).

The project is headed by University of the Free State HOD of Urologist, Professor Freddie Claasen, and aims to offer free surgical procedures to boys from disadvantaged families.

Pulane  Chawane and Khumo Chawane (3) Photo: Zenande Mpame

The 12 boys have been waiting for surgery to reposition their testes in the public hospital for a long time, so this project puts them on top of the list. “The undescended testes are when the testes are rested in the path of descent from inside the abdomen down to the scrotum of the child,” said Claasen.

Nurse Katlego Khanare and Professor Freddie Claasen with two patients. Photo: Zenande Mpame

“If the testes remain in their abnormal position it has an increased risk of developing testicular cancer and a risk of infertility.

“It is also important to note this is not a normal type of testes, and we usually would like to operate on these children when they are below two years of age, unfortunately with our long waiting list and preference given to different cancers.”

Zanele Dlamini and  Mario Junior Dlamini (almost 4). Photo: Zenande Mpame

The surgical procedures for the remaining six boys who will be operated on in the upcoming week were sponsored by The Adventist Professional Health and Humanitarian Services (APHHS). The boys’ ages ranged from the youngest, three months, to the oldest, seven years.

“Cure Day Hospital exemplifies the “C” for compassion in our Cure values by proudly hosting and participating in a project that offers free surgical procedures to boys from disadvantaged families in the Free State,” said CureDay Hospital Manager, Loami Rossouw.

Freddie Claasen, Eliza Leshope, Katlego Khanare,  Khosi Makhaya and Loami Rossouw. Photo: Zenande Mpame

 “I was called by a doctor at Universitas, and I was told that my son has been chosen to come here and undergo this procedure,” said Zanele Dlamini from Ladybrand.

“I am very happy that my son was chosen because it has been a very long journey; we’ve struggled to come to the hospital twice a year for the past three years. This is the fourth year, so I am very happy and excited,” said Pulane Chawane, another parent.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg