Olinda gets help from our readers

Olinda gets help from our readers

OLINDA: Recovering after operation

• The human face of doctors' strike

• Minister ignores striking doctors

• Doctors strike over working conditions

• Zimbabwe loses half of health professionals

• Zim nurses face uncertain future in UK

By Torby Chimhashu

GENEROUS New Zimbabwe.com readers have been donating towards the medical expenses of four-year-old Olinda Makwenje, whose heart-rending plight was revealed here Monday.

Olinda was admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital on January 8, but until Monday -- she had not been operated on due to an ongoing strike by doctors.

Specialist doctors finally acted on Olinda's deteriorating condition and removed a cancerous tumor just above her left eye.

A strange growth of darkened flesh on her chin was also removed during the surgical operation which doctors say went well.

New Zimbabwe.com readers were touched into action by a moving appeal by Olinda's mum, Sofia, who told of her desperation watching her daughter drawing closer to death with each passing hour.

Sofia has been commuting from Kuwadzana to Parirenyatwa Hospital three times a day to be with her daughter.

She said Monday: "It is really an agonising experience, watching your daughter waste away each day because a doctor who is supposed to treat her keeps changing stories."

Sofia had been told by a specialist doctor to bring her child to his surgery, but could not afford the costs. The cost of the operation was Zim$3 million with other top up fees.

Tens of our readers made offers to assist the family.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s Hertfordshire Branch in England donated Zim$1,6 million, and the Birmingham-based Destiny Financial Services chipped in with Zim$1,5 million.

Bernard Matonga, the chairman of the MDC Hertfordshire Branch said: "The doctors are on strike not through a fault of their own. We felt the need to chip in and help instead of just watching."

Destiny Financial Services boss Jeff Madzingo said he had been moved by Olinda's story.

He said: "Naturally, anyone reading that story would be touched. We have felt the need to help someone from our country who is caught up in a very unfortunate situation and illness.

"As a company, we are ploughing back to the community we serve and are proud to be helping fellow Zimbabweans."

Olinda's dad Gerald Makwenje said Tuesday that his daughter was in the intensive care unit at Parirenyatwa Hospital following the operation.

"They managed to pull out the tumor, but didn't cut anywhere," he said by telephone from the hospital. "The strange flesh developing on her lower jaw was also removed. She is currently sleeping and it would be sometime before we know if she will recover fully.

"From December last year when the tumors developed, she began having difficulties walking. Doctors said cancerous tumors in the head will likely affect the spine, and that's what is possibly paralysing her.

"The doctors have high hopes she will make it."

If you wish to assist or help Olinda and her family, please call the parents on +26391 652 583 or those who wish to make anonymous donations can deposit their contributions to the account held by Olinda's father Mr Gerald Makwenje, BARCLAYS BANK, ACCOUNT NUMBER 259 828 723 67. Also e-mail geraldmakwenje@yahoo.com

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