daniel chigunwe
Phyllis Kachere
Deputy News Editor (Convergence)
In a world where compassion meets skill, Dr Kudzai Sarah Munanzvi, affectionately known as Mai Ropa, shines as a radiant example of dedication and expertise.
With a calm demeanour and an unwavering commitment to her young patients, this remarkable neonatal and paediatric surgeon navigates the complexities of her field while fostering an environment filled with hope and healing.
From her high school days, Dr Munanzvi envisioned a future where she could make a profound difference in the lives of children.
“I always knew I would be a surgeon,” she reflects, her passion evident in her voice. Her journey has been marked by milestones, including her pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s first successful separation surgery of conjoined twins in 2014.
With a focus on congenital malformations, her expertise encompasses a range of surgeries, from repairing hernias, which is a common issue affecting one in 10 children, to addressing complex cases involving undescended testicles in patients up to 22 years old.
Dr Munanzvi credits her success to her mentor, Mr Bothwell Mbuwayesango, a trailblazer in paediatric surgery.
“His passion for surgery inspired me,” she says, illustrating how mentorship can shape a career.
“Joining paediatric surgery is like being captured by the charm of children; they are genuine, and their resilience is remarkable.”
After completing her rigorous training at the University of Zimbabwe, she dedicated five years to honing her skills under Mr Mbuwayesango’s guidance, embracing the challenges and joys of paediatric care.
“I work mostly in the major public hospitals — Sally Mugabe, Parirenyatwa and Chitungwiza Central Hospitals where the complicated cases are always present. I also do private consultations and there again, some complicated cases always are present.
“During surgery, you can’t take a break to eat or even go to the toilet because every minute counts. I have been in surgeries where we took as long as eight hours.”
Every day for Dr Munanzvi begins with purpose. After visiting her private hospital patients at around 6.30am, she heads to Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital, where she prepares for the day’s surgeries.
Tuesdays are particularly intense, reserved for intricate procedures that can last over two hours or more.
“By 8am, I will be in theatre at Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital and we prioritise what to do and at what time. And once in, its case after case until all the cases are done. Sometimes, we are interrupted by emergencies. Once we get emergencies, it means we have to juggle around and make sure we do all the other cases. Sometimes my day at the public hospital ends at 4pm or 5pm.
“But that doesn’t mean my day has ended. I can get a call from casualty departments at hospitals around Harare. One of the busiest private hospitals in Harare usually calls with emergencies and I have to attend. Sometimes I end up in theatre again. I maybe in theatre until 10 or 11pm then I go home. That doesn’t mean day has ended, I can still get calls during the night and I have to attend to them.
“Once in the theatre, it’s a whirlwind of cases until the last one is done,” she said, often juggling emergencies that arise unexpectedly.
Among her many surgical triumphs, one unforgettable case stands out. A child born with gastroschisis, a condition where the intestines protrude outside the abdomen, became a symbol of resilience for Dr Munanzvi.
“I performed six surgeries on her, and at times, I feared for her life,” she recalls, her emotion palpable. “But she fought hard, and today, she’s thriving. This was during the most difficult years when doctors were on strike. The parents were from Mutare and the child was born with her intestines protruding outside the abdomen. The child was a real fighter. At one time, I thought the child would die on me. She was not breathing well and everything seemed to be on a downward trend.
“I also had to deal with the child’s mother as she would regularly ask of her child. ‘Chiremba, mwana wangu ari sei? Anopora here? Anoita zvakanaka here? (Doctor, how is my child? Will she get better? Will she be normal?) I would just shake my head and move away because I knew if I just opened my mouth, I would just cry. Now, you can’t do that professionally. Thank God, that child is alive today, getting into her adulthood. I had to also deal with the family, counsel them and give them hope. It was hectic and that took a toll on me.”
A passionate advocate for medical personnel, Dr Munanzvi voices the urgent need for better salaries, especially for junior doctors who play a critical role in patient care.
“I have a special appeal to the public. One in 10 children suffers from hernia and at Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital, we have thousands of backlogs. We used to get partners or sponsors who put in the funds and say can you do these surgeries for the children?
“It costs $500 to carry out a hernia surgery. Let’s pool resources and we can once again have Hernia Week, where we carry out the surgeries for free to those who can’t pay at Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital. The last Hernia Week we had, more than 600 children turned up for just 100 slots.”
Dr Munanzvi’s heartfelt moniker, Mai Ropa, is a tribute to her first-born child, Ropafadzo.
“It’s a name that resonates with my identity as both a surgeon and a mother. Even professional colleagues have learnt to accept my identity as Mai Ropa,” she smiles, embodying the dual roles she navigates with grace.
Through her unwavering dedication, Dr Kudzai Sarah Munanzvi or simply Mai Ropa, continues to be a beacon of hope, healing, and inspiration in the lives of countless children and families, proving that compassion and skill can truly transform the world.
Online Reporter