Online Reporter
Chronicle Writer
FOR more than a decade, Mr Result Madzvamuse lived with a wound that refused to heal. The pain followed him every day, robbing him of his mobility, independence and hope of living a normal life.
Today, however, the 33-year-old from Bikita is looking forward to the future after undergoing a successful amputation that finally brought an end to an 11-year medical ordeal.
On June 26, doctors at Silveira Mission Hospital carried out the operation that many believe saved his life after years of failed treatments, emotional struggles and uncertainty.
Mr Madzvamuse is now recovering at Bikita Rural Hospital under close medical supervision, beginning a new chapter that once seemed out of reach.
The operation was made possible through financial support from Bikita Minerals, which paid for the surgery and provided essential medication.
In the months leading up to the operation, the mining company also assisted with ambulance transport, ferrying Mr Madzvamuse between Bikita Rural Hospital, Masvingo Provincial Hospital and other referral centres as doctors searched for a solution to his condition.
Behind the successful surgery lies a story of persistence, resilience and unwavering support from family and well-wishers.
Mr Madzvamuse’s troubles began in 2015 when he developed a wound near the base of his leg. What appeared to be a manageable condition gradually worsened and spread towards his foot.
Over the years, he underwent numerous treatments, including regular wound dressings, debridement procedures, antibiotic treatment and specialist consultations.
A biopsy conducted at Masvingo Provincial Hospital ruled out cancer, but doctors were still unable to stop the condition from deteriorating.
As the years passed, the wound increasingly affected every aspect of his life.
“I wake up with the wound. I sleep with the wound. Sometimes I feel like my whole life became this wound,” said Mr Madzvamuse.
Eventually, doctors concluded that amputation was the only realistic option if he was to have a chance of recovery and a better quality of life.
Mr Madzvamuse accepted the recommendation. So did his wife, Emilia Munaro. For both of them, the operation represented hope after years of suffering.
However, another challenge stood in the way. Twice, doctors prepared him for surgery. Twice, the operations had to be cancelled. Each time he was wheeled into theatre, overwhelming fear and psychological distress took over, making it impossible for the procedure to continue safely.
“They said I lost my mind. Maybe my body was ready, but my mind was not,” recalled Mr Madzvamuse.
Throughout the ordeal, his wife remained by his side. For more than 11 years, Emilia cleaned and dressed her husband’s wound every day, often using only salt and water because the family could not afford proper medical supplies.
“For a long time, I only used salt and water, I knew it was not enough, but when you are poor, sometimes you do the best you can and pray it helps,” she said.
Her life became centred on caring for her husband — changing dressings, comforting him through painful nights and accompanying him on countless hospital visits in the hope that a solution would eventually be found.
That breakthrough came after Bikita Minerals learnt about Mr Madzvamuse’s condition.
The company stepped in with practical support, supplying wound-care materials, antibiotics, antiseptics and other medication that had long been beyond the family’s reach.It also made an ambulance available whenever specialised treatment was required.
The assistance came as a surprise to both Mr Madzvamuse and his wife.
“When the medicines came, I cried. For the first time, I felt like maybe my husband mattered,” said his wife.
Mr Madzvamuse shared the same sentiment.
“The first time the ambulance arrived, I thought there must be some mistake. Why would a mining company help someone like me?” he said.
Bikita Minerals public relations officer Mr Tinomuda Chakanyuka said the support reflected the company’s commitment to the communities around its operations.
“He is our neighbour. We cannot mine lithium while people around us suffer and pretend not to see them,” he said.
According to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital specialist Dr Rukudzo Mwamuka, anxiety and other psychological conditions can have a significant impact on surgical outcomes, especially in life-changing procedures such as amputations.
“When overlooked, mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, which are often characterised by excessive worry and fear with associated physical symptoms such as palpitations, shortness
of breath or even fainting — can become a barrier to receiving necessary surgical treatment,” Dr Mwamuka explained.
“We encourage a multidisciplinary approach where surgeons work together with mental health practitioners to provide psychological support before and after surgery.”
Following the earlier failed attempts, a local surgeon recommended that Mr Madzvamuse undergo the procedure at Silveira Mission Hospital, believing a different environment could improve his chances.The recommendation proved decisive.
On June 26, surgeons at Silveira Mission Hospital successfully carried out the operation that had eluded him for years.
Medical superintendent Dr Zvikomborero Mugwenjedzi said the procedure was completed successfully despite several challenges.
“We managed to carry out the surgery successfully, although we encountered a few challenges, but we managed to improvise and worked with what we had to ensure the procedure was successful.
The man is a fighter. He is currently recovering and we have discharged him back to Bikita Rural Hospital where he will be taken care of until he fully recovers,” he said.
Ward 13 councillor Obvious Madzivanyika praised Bikita Minerals for supporting one of the district’s most vulnerable residents.
“Result’s smile today is proof that when a company invests in people, it creates a legacy far more valuable than anything buried beneath the ground,” he said.
