Man with kidney ailment seeks dialysis services

A 34-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who was diagnosed with a kidney ailment is appealing for assistance to raise money for routine dialysis.

Mr Thubelihle Mbane of Emganwini suburb has been forking out US$50 per session for the life-saving treatment for the past 12 months.

Due to financial struggles, Mr Mbane said he can no longer afford to continue with his dialysis. He requires at least two sessions per week.

His mother, Ms Nomsa Mbane (63) who is a pensioner said her monthly pay-out was not enough to cover her son’s medical expenses.

Doctors said Mr Mbane requires a permanent catheter, a crucial element for dialysis, which costs US$300, with an additional US$300 for the insertion.

“We started noticing that Thuba’s body would swell, and we would take him to the clinic, but no solution was found. We thought it was a heart problem so we looked for money to do additional tests and that is when we discovered that he had kidney failure and he started treatment,” said Ms Mbane.

“The first two catheters were temporary ones and they got blocked. The problem now is that we can’t use temporary catheters anymore because the doctors are saying he can only use three catheters for dialysis in his lifetime and we should now get a permanent one.”

Without a permanent catheter, dialysis becomes impossible. Ms Mbane said her son’s condition continues to deteriorate.

“Since my son stopped dialysis he no longer eats and is constantly nose bleeding. He has been at home since being discharged from Mpilo Central Hospital in March. We have a bill of ZiG 680 000,” she said.

“They discharged him because there was nothing doctors could do to help my son without the catheter and so we decided that having him home is a better option.”

With limited options, the family is reaching out for any assistance that can help ease the financial burden of ongoing treatment and the necessary catheter. Well-wishers can contact Ms Mbane on 0777470322.