A five-year-old boy, who has been living a life of suffering and misery, is now receiving special medical attention at the George Mukhari Hospital in Garankuwa, thanks to the publication of his story in Mirror last month!

The story of Hulisani Ndou of Vhutalu village, near Thohoyandou, touched many hearts of community members, who called to offer their assistance to the boy.

Hulisani became a prisoner in his home, when he started developing an unusual lump on his right eye when he was only three years old. He also developed “lizard skin” and other smaller and painful lumps have invaded his head and face, making his life miserable. The wounds in his mouth also make his life difficult because he has to struggle to eat food. His unemployed mother, Suzan, has spent her last cent to have her son cured, but with no success. She does not even have money to consult medical specialists, due to her poor financial background.

The Limpopo provincial Department of Health and Social Development dispatched a state vehicle to go and fetch the small boy at his mountainous village of Vhutalu. He was taken to Tshilidzini Hospital for arrangements so that he could be transferred to Garankuwa Hospital to see medical specialists.

Upon arrival at Tshilidzini Hospital, the medical staff cleaned and bandaged Hulisani’s lumps before he was transferred to Garankuwa. Mr Bernard Mabuda, Manager of Nursing Services at Tshilidzini Hospital, says Hilisani is suffering from a condition called “malignance”, which needs the services of oncologists.

The spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Development in Limpopo, Phuti Seloba, says his department will make sure that even the poorest of the poor are receiving proper medical treatment. “We felt we needed to do something for the small boy because our job is to see that everyone has access to medical attention, regardless of their poor financial background. The boy is now receiving high-quality medical care at Garankuwa.”

Hilisani’s mother, Suzan, was over the moon: “I hope my boy will be cured and be able to face the future with pride like other kids…”