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UFS Department of Dermatology celebrates opening of Dermatologic Surgery Unit at Universitas Hospital

23 September 2025 | Story Reuben Maeko | Photo Sizwe Gwiba

Dermatology Unit — Celebrating the milestone launch of the Dermatologic Surgery Unit at Universitas Academic Hospital, a new chapter for advanced patient care, training, and research.

The Department of Dermatology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) marked a historic milestone with the official opening of the Dermatologic Surgery Unit at Universitas Academic Hospital on 11 September 2025. This new facility represents a significant step forward in expanding access to specialised surgical treatment for complex dermatological conditions, while simultaneously strengthening academic training and research opportunities for registrars and medical students.

The inauguration was attended by Prof Francois P Retief, a distinguished medical pioneer from the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences, after whom one of the faculty buildings is named. His wife, Ria Retief, extended words of gratitude and gifted a book from his medical library to Prof Frans Maruma, Head of the Department of Dermatology.

“We are truly honoured to be included in this significant milestone and to witness the beginning of what we know will be an impactful journey aimed at improving patient care,” Ria Retief said. “It is a privilege to celebrate this remarkable achievement with you, and we deeply admire your dedication and vision.”

Honouring a legacy in dermatology

In his opening address, Prof Maruma reflected on the journey that led to the establishment of the Dermatologic Surgery Unit, acknowledging the teamwork, persistence, and collaboration that made the vision a reality.

“The Derm-Surgery Unit is not just a surgical space – it is a testament to teamwork, perseverance, and the drive to advance patient-centred care in dermatology,” he said. “We pay homage to visionary leadership that has afforded us the opportunity to expand dermatology services to include surgery and as a skill sacrosanct to modern practice. This is not only about healing, but also about preparing our registrars for the realities of clinical practice through work-integrated learning.”

Prof Maruma extended appreciation to colleagues and staff members in the Department of Dermatology, as well as strategic partners in the UFS, the Department of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, and private practitioners who dedicate their time to teaching and mentoring. Special acknowledgement was given to Dr Marc Roscher, Dr Harriet Makuru, and Dr Yashica Khalawan, who played a pivotal role in supporting the project’s launch.

The programme also included remarks by senior academic leaders. Prof Alicia Sherriff, Acting Head of the School of Clinical Medicine, commended the department for its innovation and foresight in the face of resource limitations, highlighting the potential for further expansion through collaboration with both public and private stakeholders.

While cutting the ribbon, Prof Thabiso Mofokeng, Head of Internal Medicine at Universitas Academic Hospital, emphasised that the launch of the Derm-Surgery Unit reflects the broader ethos of the clinical platform: to enable world-class training, foster research excellence, and deliver quality healthcare that is responsive to the needs of the community.

The launch underscored the university’s commitment to Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), bridging the gap between academic training and real-world clinical demands. The Derm-Surgery initiative is designed to equip registrars with essential industry-specific skills in procedural dermatology while fostering collaboration between private and public healthcare sectors. The evening concluded with awards recognising individuals whose contributions ensured the success of this landmark opening.

Looking ahead, the Department of Dermatology envisions its Derm-Surgery Unit as more than just a clinical unit – it is set to become a hub of advanced patient care, high-impact training, and cutting-edge research. This initiative strengthens the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences’ role as a leader in medical education and healthcare innovation in the Free State and beyond.

News Archive

UFS professor addresses genetically modified food in South Africa in inaugural lecture

2016-09-23

Description: Chris Viljoen inaugural lecture Tags: Chris Viljoen inaugural lecture

At the inaugural lecture were, from the left front,
Prof Lis Lange, Vice Rector: Academic;
Prof Chris Viljoen; Prof Gert van Zyl,
Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences; back: Prof Marius Coetzee,
Head of Department of Haematology and Cell Biology;
and Dr Lynette van der Merwe, Undergraduate
Programme Director.
Photo: Stephen Collett

The first genetically modified (GM) crops in South Africa were planted in 1998. Eighteen years later, the country is one of the largest producers of GM food in the world. Those in support of genetically modified crops say this process is the only way to feed a rapidly growing world population. But those who criticise GM food describe it as a threat to the environment and safety of the population. Who is right? According to Prof Chris Viljoen of the Department of Haematology and Cell Biology at the University of the Free State, neither position is well-founded.

GM crops play a vital role in food security
While GM crops have an important role to play in increasing food production, the technology is only part of the solution to providing sufficient food for a growing world population. The major genetically modified crops produced in the world include soybean, cotton, maize and canola. However, the authenticity of food labelling and the long-term safety of GM food are issues that consumers are concerned about.

Safety and labelling of GM food important in South Africa
In his inaugural lecture on the subject “Are you really going to eat that?” Prof Viljoen addressed the importance of the safety and labelling of GM food in the country. “In order for food to be sustainable, production needs to be economically and environmentally sustainable. On the other hand, food integrity, including food quality, authenticity and safety need to be ensured,” Prof Viljoen said.

Labelling of food products for genetic modification was mandatory in South Africa, he went on to say. “It allows consumers the right of choice whether to eat genetically modified foods or not.” The Consumer Protection Act of 2008 requires food ingredients containing more than 5% of GM content to be labelled.

GMO Testing Facility world leader in food diagnostic testing
In 1999, Prof Viljoen spearheaded research in developing a GM diagnostic testing platform, and in 2003, a commercial diagnostic platform for GM status certification, called the GMO Testing Facility, was founded. The facility is a licensed Eurofins GeneScan laboratory a world leader in food diagnostic testing and provides diagnostic detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in grain and processed foods for the local and international market.

Molecular diagnostic technology the future of food integrity, authenticity and safety
With GM labelling now well-established in South Africa, the next challenge is to establish the use of molecular diagnostic technology to ensure that food integrity, including food authenticity and safety is maintained, said Prof Viljoen.

“To the question ‘Are you really going to eat that?’ the answer is ‘yes’, but let’s continue doing research to make sure that what we eat is safe and authentic.”

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