Championing accessible quality health care in Gqeberha

Even as a child Dr Siobhan Booysen was a young disruptor, determined to create her own path much to her parents' dismay. Her parents - father, Clive, worked in motor sales while her mother, Antoinette, worked at a bank in Gqeberha - thought she was being naive and a 'martyr' for her desire to save the world by becoming a doctor. Dr Booysen dreamt of making a difference and leaving her mark in the world. Her love for maths and science made medicine the obvious choice for bringing that dream to fruition.

Deaf to everyone's misgivings, she persevered with her unconventional dream.

After high school she continued her studies completing her MBChB at the University of the Free State and later securing an internship in East London. She then spent a 'life-view-changing" community service year in Humansdorp near Jeffrey's Bay. In 2021 she received the Discovery Foundation Rural Individual Award for her dedication to providing quality mental healthcare in the underserved area of the Eastern Cape. Along with some of the country's top doctors, Dr Booysen was awarded a research and training grant by the Discovery Foundation.

Similar to most rural areas, the Eastern Cape faces many challenges and oftentimes mental health is last on the agenda. "There's a high prevalence of mental health issues here," says the 30 year old doctor. "It's often a last priority and underappreciated. There's nothing glamorous about somebody being mentally unwell," she adds.

Clozapine research, a powerful anti-psychotic medicine

Fortunately, Dr Booysen is resilient and knows the far reaching effects of dedicating time and resources to mental health. She has used her Discovery Foundation Rural Individual Award towards research on Clozapine, a powerful anti-psychotic medicine which is considered the gold standard for treatment-resistant psychosis. Clozapine is a psychiatric medication that works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. It is primarily used to treat people who have had an inadequate response to other antipsychotics or who have been unable to tolerate other drugs due to extrapyramidal side effects.

A large number of patients at the Elizabeth Donkin Hospital, where Dr Booysen is based, are admitted due to drug abuse, mostly cannabis and tik. Some patients referred to the hospital have prolonged admission periods, failing multiple trials of antipsychotics. In these cases, Clozapine is used as the treatment of choice, often resulting in dramatic improvements.

Medical interventions can greatly improve patients' lives

Although Dr Booysen often works in challenging conditions with some patients losing hope, she strongly believes in medical interventions to greatly improve the patients' lives. She believes every patient deserves care, no matter the circumstances. What keeps her going is the success of a patient who has responded to treatment and is now a positive addition to the community.