“I’m Very, Very Scared”: KZN Woman With Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Makes Desperate Medical Plea

• A KZN woman named Shaz Gumede posted a distressed video pleading for help after showing signs of a Stevens-Johnson syndrome reaction
• She said she had no health insurance or money to see a doctor, and urgently needed a public clinic or hospital in the Zululand area that had treated the condition before
• The video went viral and drew responses from Mzansi, with several people stepping in to point her toward help

A KwaZulu-Natal woman turned to social media on 13 August 2026 in desperation to ask the public for urgent medical guidance. Mzansi responded.

Shaz Gumede posted the clip after noticing swelling that mirrored the early stages of the first Stevens-Johnson syndrome reaction she had experienced. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare but life-threatening skin condition, often triggered by medication, that causes the skin to blister and peel. She said:

"I'm having a reaction. It started as just a bit of swelling, and this is how my first Stevens-Johnson reaction kind of started. So I'm very, very scared at the moment."

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She was direct about her situation. Without health insurance or money to consult a private doctor, she needed to know which public clinic or hospital in or around Zululand had experience treating the condition. She said:

"I'm going to be very honest because I need help."

Shaz Gumede’s BackaBuddy Campaign

After surviving a severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome reaction that left her with major vision, mobility and physical challenges, Shaz Gumede is raising funds for reconstructive surgeries and lifelong care. Her family hopes to raise R600,000 for her recovery, while also supporting her sister’s cancer treatment and household expenses.

View the Facebook video below:

Mzansi responds to her plea

The video spread quickly, and people began offering suggestions and support in the comments section of her page.

@Nellbery Brown wrote:

"Let's make a BackaBuddy for her, please 🥺🙏"

@Buhle Sibeko suggested:

"You might want to consider moving to Gauteng and ask bakuthumele eBaragwanath sisi, that's the hospital of hospitals."

@Khathu Munanyi added:

"We were supposed to be contributing for her 😔💔"

@Smiso Duma advised:

"Go to the nearest and have them send you to the right one. At least they can stabilize you in the meantime."

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Source: Briefly News