Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube-Bulawayo Bureau
WHEN Ms Patricia Mathendele (20) from Esigodini gave birth to her son back in 2023, she never imagined that four months down the line, her joy would be turned into sorrow.
Her world as she knew it would be turned upside down following her baby’s hydrocephalus diagnosis.
As a young mother, this diagnosis changed the dreams of the joys of motherhood she had envisaged.
Hydrocephalus is noticeable with the head of a child growing big due to excess water in the brain.
Ms Mathendele had to master the art of not only handling a baby, but one with a special condition at a young age.
“When I gave birth, my child looked healthy but things started changing four months later. His head started growing big and I took him to hospital where he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. My world crumbled; I could no longer share his pictures with friends when they requested them.
“I faced a lot of stigma as some said we had done some rituals with our child to get rich. I could not freely move around with him. But through help from the support group formed by the Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe, I have learnt to accept my child with his condition,” she said.
Her story is shared by scores of mothers who are raising children with hydrocephalus.
Every year on October 25, the world commemorates Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day and in Zimbabwe, the Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe hosts the event.
This year, the theme of the commemorations was, “Accessibility to All”.
Speaking during the commemorations in Bulawayo recently, National University of Science and Technology Head of Pathology Professor Greanious Alfred Mavondo said they are working with the Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe to research a possible cure for the condition.
“We are researching the prevalence of the disease in society to determine the numbers involved. We also want to know the underlying cause of the disease because we know there is a genetic mechanism that is failing. We will then track those with that genetic make-up during screening so that we can deploy technology that can eliminate them in the body.
“If that fails, we will then try to use technology that can edit genes before and even after birth to correct the malformations so that once we have done that, a patient can live a normal life,” he said.
Prof Mavondo said they were using the University’s DNA Centre and the Ekusileni Specialist Research and Training institution for their work.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Medical Director Dr Maphios Siamuchembu said the Ministry of Health and Child Care works with organisations such as the Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe in helping provide care for patients with hydrocephalus.
He said limited access to surgical care was one of the challenges facing patients with the condition.
“The challenges we face as a country in providing care for patients with the condition include limited access to surgical care and post-operative care.
“We only have one neurosurgeon in the Southern region of the country covering five provinces. He also operates all neurosurgical patients which puts him under a lot of pressure,” he said.
Dr Siamuchemu said there is need to avail incentives to attract more doctors to study this special field in order to help more patients.
He also urged hospital staff to start collecting data on the condition to enable planning by authorities.
Founder of the Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe, Pastor Lyn Ndlovu said children with the condition are mostly very intelligent and can thrive but they are limited due to lack of support.
She said stigma remains one of the biggest challenges hindering their success.
“We want to accelerate action to get help for these children. They are kept hidden in communities. We all need to make sure that we provide for their needs. It is a neglected area but we need to change that and speak with one voice to help them. We need to improve their lives because their lives matter too,” she said.
During the commemorations, the Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe presented 100 shunts donated by the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
The shunts which can cost around US$250 locally are a hollow tube surgically inserted into the brain — or occasionally the spine — to help drain cerebrospinal fluid and redirect it to another part of the body where it can be re-absorbed.
Shunt procedures are vital in relieving pressure on the brain caused by hydrocephalus.
Most parents with children suffering from the condition cannot afford them which complicates their lives. –@themkhust
