Online Reporter
Obey Sibanda
IN a remarkable and inspiring medical feat, a dedicated team of doctors at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo successfully removed a 50-kilogramme tumour from 32-year-old Melody Ndlovu of Mberengwa.
What began as a small growth five years ago evolved into a life-altering struggle of pain and humiliation for Ndlovu, who initially suspected she was pregnant after missing her periods.
For half a decade, Melody endured the burden of this massive mass, which almost stripped her of her normal life. The weight of her condition left her unable to walk properly, limiting her ability to take part in the everyday activities that women her age typically enjoy.
“I went to the hospital for a scan, but they didn’t find anything. As the mass continued to grow, I returned for a second opinion and was told it was fibroids, then I was referred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for further evaluation,” Ndlovu recounted, her eyes reflecting the pain she had endured.
At UBH, she faced the formidable obstacle of an unaffordable private scan that pushed her to seek help from traditional healers. Unfortunately, their remedies fell short, and the mass continued to expand, ultimately reaching the shocking weight of 50kg.
It was this dire circumstance that compelled her family to take her to Mpilo Central Hospital for critical intervention.
The surgery was a complex operation, as the tumour was deeply embedded and intricately connected to vital organs, including the uterus and bowels, as well as encroaching upon the diaphragm.
Dr Elton Sengurai from the surgical team said, “In my years of experience, I have never encountered a mass of this size. Removing it required the expertise of several medical professionals.”
“We successfully removed the tumour, and Ndlovu is recovering well. The mass was displacing her organs, pushing against her bowels and lungs, which made the surgery particularly challenging.”
Mpilo Hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Noma Mabhena, commended the medical team for their extraordinary work and urged patients to seek medical assistance at the earliest signs of trouble.
“It’s crucial for patients to visit the hospital as soon as possible to ensure timely care before complications arise,” she emphasised.
“Mpilo Hospital is a public facility that serves everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
