Eastern Cape doctors lift weight off women’s chests

Cape Town - While the Western Cape government is adamant that breast reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure, a group of doctors and nurses in the Eastern Cape recently embarked on a breast reduction marathon.

The health professionals from public and private hospitals in Mthatha are changing lives one pair of breasts at a time and performed 16 surgeries last week.

The breast reduction marathon, which saw women between 23 and 47 years old have their large breasts reduced, is the brainchild of plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Viwe Nogaga, through his foundation, and in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Health and other partners.

Meanwhile, in the Western Cape, Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said such procedures were not prioritised.

“Generally, we don’t prioritise (surgeries) for cosmetic purposes over those that respond to an illness," Mbombo said.

She said the province was grappling with surgical backlogs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It wouldn’t make sense to prioritise such surgeries for cosmetic purposes,” Mbombo said, adding that the Eastern Cape referred some of its serious surgeries to the Western Cape.

Nogaga said while breast reduction surgery was considered a cosmetic procedure, the women suffered from serious back pain.

“This is an opportunity for us to help people because this is a procedure that helps people. It costs many thousands of rand, and an average citizen would not have money lying around to be able to have the procedure done privately,” Nogaga said.

He said the procedure was also classified as a cosmetic procedure by most medical organisations.

He said plans were under way to offer the surgery to more women in the future.

One of the patients, Sibahle Qhomfo, said the procedure has helped improve her quality of life.

“It’s been difficult for all of us to do these cases because most people think this is a cosmetic procedure, but when you sit with the patients, you’ll understand that this is a very important life-changing procedure that has restored quality of life,” Qhomfo said.

“I have been suffering from backache and rib cage pain, which felt as though my ribs were breaking when I walk,” Qhomfo said.

She said she had been suffering from swelling and sores under her breasts.

“I also think this had a significant impact on my spinal cord. This procedure has helped me because this is something I couldn’t afford for many years. In all honesty, I think many women need this procedure,” Qhomfo said.

Another patient, Unathi Bhodlani, said she was grateful to have been chosen to participate in the marathon.

“I think having undergone this procedure will help with my self-esteem. I had low self-esteem because I had to wear two bras at the same time, and there were clothes I wanted to wear but couldn’t because I was carrying this massive burden on my chest and wanted to hide my breast all the time. Now I can feel like a normal person,” Bhodlani said.