UFS Faculty of Health Sciences

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The University of the Free State’s Department of Nutrition and Dietetics hosted its annual Continuing Nutrition Education (CNE) Symposium on Thursday, 11 June 2026, with the theme: From Plate to Population: Integrating Therapeutic Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition and Food Service Management.

Held in collaboration with the Tiger Brands Foundation, the event brought together dietitians, academics, healthcare professionals, and students for a day of thought-provoking discussions and professional development on topics ranging from complementary feeding and paediatric nutrition to school nutrition programmes, science communication, and emerging trends in food service management. Ethical considerations in healthcare, transgender nutrition care, and the challenges posed by the growing use of weight-loss medications also featured prominently throughout the day.

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𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲!

Join the University of the Free State’s Department of Occupational Therapy as they proudly celebrate their 50th Jubilee with a dynamic Symposium & Workshop Hybrid Event from 25–26 June 2026 at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus or join us online from wherever you are!

Featuring inspiring keynote speakers, including Dr Hester Van Biljon and Prof Sanet Du Toit, along with engaging presentations from departmental experts, this two-day experience promises knowledge, impact, and meaningful conversations around care.
Be part of this special milestone as we honour our legacy and shape transformative futures in occupational therapy.

For registration, programme details, and more information, please contact:
[email protected]

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: 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁

A young student who had to drop out of university when his vision was severely affected by keratoconus has regained his sight thanks to a successful corneal transplant at the Universitas Annex Hospital under the leadership of Prof Wayne Marais from the University of the Free State (UFS).

This life-changing procedure was made possible by donor tissue from a young organ donor from Bloemfontein. The donor tissue was retrieved by the dedicated team from the Bay Tissue Institute under the guidance of Dr Theunis Botha, with the assistance of Ryan Scheepers, Dr Joshua Cummings from the Universitas Hospital, and the team at the Bloemfontein Eye and Laser Clinic. Their coordinated work ensures that donor tissue is prepared safely and respectfully for transplantation.

The operation took place on Tuesday 26 May 2026, with Prof Marais, Head of the UFS Department of Ophthalmology, as the lead surgeon. He was assisted by Dr Cummings. Ophthalmology registrars from the university were also part of the operation. Keratoconus, according to Prof Marais, is a progressive condition in which the cornea becomes thin and irregular, leading to distortion, scarring, and significant visual loss. The condition of the 21-year-old student, whose name and details are being withheld to protect his identity, had progressed to the point where he had to pause his studies at the University of Pretoria.

Read more: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/june/student-s-ability-to-see-restored-with-corneal-transplant

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Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Prof. Deliwe Phetlhu, proudly shows her support for Day. Celebrated annually on the first Friday of June, highlighting the importance of mental health in the medical field.

This day serves as a reminder to support healthcare professionals and to move away from the myth of always “putting on a brave face,” instead encouraging openness and prioritising mental well-being.

What began as a simple “silly socks” initiative to break the stigma surrounding mental health has grown into a powerful and colourful movement of solidarity. Locally, the campaign is championed by the Ithemba Foundation.

With our Dean stepping out in her bright, vibrant socks this Friday, every stripe, polka dot and pattern represents a step toward a more compassionate, supportive, and mentally healthy healthcare system for all.

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𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 (𝟭 – 𝟳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲)

World Heart Rhythm Week (WHRW) is an annual global awareness campaign organized by Arrhythmia Alliance, aimed at improving understanding, detection, and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias.

This year’s campaign theme is “Your Heart, Your Rhythm, Your Story” highlighting that while checking your pulse remains a simple and effective way to detect an arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm), symptoms, experiences and responses to treatment vary from person to person. From palpitations and syncope to more subtle signs, recognising these differences are key to improving diagnosis, care and outcomes.

World Heart Rhythm Week brings together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates from around the world to build greater understanding, improve awareness and drive more personalised heart rhythm care.

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𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

Honoured and humbled to share that on Saturday, 23 May 2026, at the South African Medical Association Conference in Durban, the Faculty of Health Sciences, Former Dean, Prof Gert Van Zyl, received the SAMA Merit Award: Fellowship in Sciences and Medicine as the only recipient in this category.

The award was presented in recognition of distinguished leadership in medical education and health sciences. The citation acknowledged leadership as Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State, championing academic excellence, mentoring future healthcare leaders, and advancing healthcare nationally and internationally.

"I am deeply grateful for this recognition and dedicate it to the many colleagues, students, mentors, and partners who continue to contribute to the transformation and advancement of health sciences education and healthcare."

The Faculty of Health Sciences congratulates Prof Van Zyl on this outstanding achievement.

: 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁

The University of the Free State (UFS) Next-Generation Sequencing (UFS-NGS) Unit on Tuesday (26 May 2026) not only launched its upgraded facility but also celebrated its 10th anniversary. On the same night, the unit also celebrated being designated a UFS Sustainability Research Chair.

The evening was attended by Prof Hester C. Klopper, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Dr Malopo Qhobela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategic Initiatives, International and Institutional Affairs; Prof Deliwe Phetlhu, Dean for the Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as other staff from the faculty and partners. The evening started with a ribbon-cutting and tour of the new facility.

In her keynote address, Prof Klopper said everyone was there for three things: to acknowledge the work of the past 10 years, to launch and celebrate the University’s recognition of Prof Martin Nyaga, UFS-NGS head, and the unit as a designated research chair, and lastly to launch the new facility. The UFS-NGS Unit is now home to the Research Chair in Genomic Surveillance of Respiratory and Enteric Pathogens from Children in South Africa.

Read more: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/may/triple-celebrations-for-the-ufs-next-generation-sequencing-unit

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𝟭𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁!

Currently underway, The University of the Free State’s Next Generation Sequencing (UFS-NGS) Unit is proudly celebrating a decade of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence.

Researchers, collaborators, students, and university leadership have gathered today at the New UFS-NGS Facility, Pharmacology Building, Ground Floor, Block D, as the university officially launches its new state-of-the-art sequencing facility and commemorates the UFS-NGS Unit’s 10-year anniversary under the leadership of Prof. Martin Nyaga. The event is highlighting the unit’s remarkable journey, groundbreaking achievements, and expanded research capabilities, with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal joining the celebrations.

As part of the celebrations, the unit is also hosting a 3-day NGS Training Workshop from 27–29 May 2026, taking place daily from 09:00 to 15:00.

Celebrating 10 years of advancing genomics research and shaping the future of science.


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