Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A CHITUNGWIZA woman, 50, who is bed-ridden as she battles complications in her heart and lungs, is pleading with the Chitungwiza Town Council to provide her with a space where she can sell goods to raise money for her medication.
Alice Ndarama also wants to raise money to foot the medical bills of her son Tanaka.
She was abandoned by her husband and has been raising Tanaka, who has cerebral palsy, mental retardation, epilepsy and is diabetic, on her own.
She says she has a relative who can run the business and raise money to take care of her family’s medical costs if she gets a vending site.
Alice is suffering from Cor pulmonale, a condition where the right ventricle of the heart enlarges and weakens due to lung disease.
The condition develops as a result of pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries,
“I wrote a letter to the Chitungwiza Town Clerk and their public relations officer seeking a vending site where I can sell some chips,” said Alice.
“All my coffers have run dry and I am failing to buy medication for myself and my son.
“The Chitungwiza Town Council officials have been turning a deaf ear and have since blocked my phone contact.
“I have my relative who can sell the chips and raise money for me and my son.
“My son has been sick for some time and now zvakuti mwana atsva dumbu amai kumusana.
“Ndirikurarama ne oxygen ndirimumba.”
Chitungwiza Town Council communications officer, Tafadzwa Kachiko, acknowledged receipt of Alice’s letter.
“Yes, we received the letter and the woman has been calling for help.
“Processing of the documents is in progress and authorities are yet to approve it.
“We never dismissed her issue and I am informed that she is in a critical condition,” said Kachiko.
Bongani Ndlovu