Tendai Gukutikwa
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
MINISTER of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, has donated medication and financial assistance to two young girls hospitalised at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital after a tragic fire incident in Chitakatira.
During the visit, Minister Mugadza, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Rosina Mugadza, and Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga, pledged continuous support to the two girls – Choice Mutowo (12) and Pretty Mufabeni (5), until they recover.
The two girls were badly burnt in an inferno last month.
Minister Mugadza described Choice as a warrior and heroine whose bravery should be celebrated, especially during this month of heroes.
“Choice is, not just a survivor, she is a warrior who risked her own life to save others. In this month where we celebrate our national heroes, she stands out as a heroine in her own right. Such courage must be recognised and supported,” said Minister Mugadza.
During the visit, he handed over medication, fruits and money for the girls’ immediate needs and assured the parents that this was only the beginning of the assistance.
“My office will continue to mobilise resources for these children. Donations will continue coming until they are fully recovered,” he said.
The Minister also took time to meet patients in other wards – offering words of encouragement.
Choice’s mother, Mrs Jane Mufabeni Mutowo, recounted to the Minister the events that landed her daughter in hospital.
“I stay with my two daughters, 10 grandchildren and my husband, who is ill and elderly. That morning, I was at the market when I got a call that our house was on fire. I came back to find my daughter and grandchildren badly burnt. Choice had been preparing porridge using a gas stove in the bedroom. She fell asleep, and by the time she woke up, the blankets were on fire. Even after being burnt, she went back into the burning house to save the other children,” she said.
She said the injuries left the girls dependent on daily medication they cannot afford.
“Pretty alone needs medicine worth US$30 every day, and for both girls, the costs are overwhelming. We had taken them home at some point because we could not keep up with the bills, but we had to return to hospital because their injuries were too severe. I thank the Minister from the bottom of my heart. He has brought hope to my family at a time when we were almost giving up,” she said.
In a separate interview, Pretty’s mother, Ms Sinikiwe Mufabeni, said her daughter was scheduled to go into theatre the following day.
“They will be operating on her burns, and we are hopeful for a good outcome. I am so grateful to Minister Mugadza for, not only bringing medication, but for taking the time to come and sit with us, hear our story and promise continued support. It is not every day that a leader comes to the bedside of the sick and gives their word like this,” she said, adding that the visit lifted their spirits in a way that medication alone could not.
Both mothers expressed deep appreciation for the Minister’s pledge.
“We have been sleeping in hospital chairs, counting coins for medicine and wondering how we would manage tomorrow. Now we feel like we can breathe again,” said Mrs Mutowo.
The fire, which broke out around 5am on July 5, gutted the bedroom where Choice, Pretty and two other children, 10-year-old Nigel Ndima and Nishas Ndima (two), were sleeping.
Choice managed to save all the three despite sustaining serious burns herself.
Pretty was also badly burnt after freezing in panic during the escape.
Nigel and Nishas have since been discharged and are recovering at home.
The incident occurred when Choice brought a gas stove into the bedroom to make porridge. The stove was placed too close to her blankets, which caught fire while she dozed off.
On waking up, she quickly threw the burning stove outside and ran out, but went back in after realising the children were still trapped inside.
She carried Pretty out first, then broke a window to help Nigel escape, and finally crawled under the bed to rescue baby Nishas.
That last rescue left her with the most severe burns.
Doctors have since cleaned the girls’ wounds and removed the damaged tissues, with plans to perform skin grafting using healthy skin from other parts of their bodies.
The family is still appealing to well-wishers for further assistance to cover the girls’ ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. Those willing to help can contact Mrs Jane Mufabeni Mutowo on 0779 103 611 or Ms Sinikiwe Mufabeni on 0778 637 386.
ENDS
Online Reporter