Chronicle Editor
Pamenus Thuso, Health Matters
Hillary Nyathi of Sidinda Ward 8 in Hwange District started developing serious health problems when he was one year six months old.
Hillary’s health challenges, which included incessant coughing, difficulties in walking, breathing and poor appetite, seriously affected both his academic and social life resulting in the boy missing school.
Owing to the continuing deterioration of the child’s health, his parents took him to St Patrick’s Hospital in Hwange where doctors referred him to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
At Mpilo, doctors diagnosed him as having a heart ailment but insisted that the ailment was going to disappear on its own after eight years.
However, instead of improving, Hillary’s condition continued to worsen, with stunted growth being the major cause for concern.
“Initially we used to carry Hillary in a wheelbarrow to school but there came a point where it was almost pointless to take him to school because he could not stand up or do anything on his own. His eyes were swelling as well,” said the boy’s father, Mr Paul Nyathi.
The deterioration of his condition eventually led to him being regularly hospitalised at Mpilo. At one point, Mr Nyathi said, Hillary was hospitalised for well over a month and was unable to walk or stand for quite some time.
Medical tests conducted by doctors indicated that he needed a corrective surgery which could only be carried out either in South Africa or India.
The cost of the surgery in South Africa was $30 000 while in India it would cost $10 000.
With the assistance of World Vision and the local community through the Hwange Children Medical Fund, Hillary’s parents managed to take him to India for treatment in May, 2015.
But as fate would have it, Hillary’s condition took a turn for the worse while at Harare International Airport and he had to be admitted for nine days at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals before proceeding to India.
Upon arrival in India on May 20, 2015, Hillary and his parents were transported to Artemis Hospital where the surgical operation was carried out.
After spending the scheduled 20 days in India, Hillary who was then 14 years old, returned home and was welcomed back with jubilation at Lwendulu United Primary School where he was doing grade seven.
Upon his return from India, Hillary planted a symbolic tree of life.
“The tree which Hillary planted signifies a fresh start in his life after suffering so much and lost a lot of time in his life. The tree also signifies positive energy, good health and a bright future for the young man,” said Mr Nyathi.
As Hillary’s tree continues to grow, he has also grown in stature as well as mentally and academically.
“I no longer have to worry about my health. I am mainly focusing on my school work. My dream is to become a medical doctor. I am really working hard to achieve this goal because I really suffered in my life. If there were no doctors, I would not be alive today,” said Hillary.
He is now in Form Two at Sidinda Secondary School.
The school’s headmaster, Mr Baldwin Hove, said Hillary is now living a normal life like other pupils.
“You can’t distinguish Hillary from the rest of the pupils. He is doing well at school. He is even doing things like general work. He is always cheerful and friendly,” said Mr Hove.
Mr Nyathi said Hillary was now leading a normal life.
“Nobody ever thought that Hillary would be alive to this day. His condition was terrible. Now he is able to do some chores such as washing and cooking. Life is now back to normal in the family,” he said.
Mr Nyathi said Hillary’s dramatic recovery has also shamed some villagers who believed that their child’s condition was because of a curse in the family.
“As a family, we went through difficult times as a result of Hillary’s illness. Everybody in the family is now happy. I would like to thank everyone who assisted us in meeting the costs for Hillary’s operation,” he said.
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