derick.khumalo
Mthokozisi Ncube
A 28-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo midwife who has spent her life helping bring babies safely into the world is now fighting for her own life after lupus destroyed her kidneys, leaving her dependent on costly dialysis and desperately needing a kidney transplant.
Princess Robbie Zinge, a mother of one and a midwife at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), was last week admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital after excess fluid built up in her body, a frightening complication of her failing kidneys.
Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy organs and tissues. It can affect the skin, joints, blood, heart, lungs and kidneys. When it severely damages the kidneys, patients can develop kidney failure and may require lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
Her devastated family says they are now trapped in a desperate race against time as they struggle to raise US$20 000 needed for a life-saving kidney transplant in India.
Princess’s brother, Princely Pride Zinge, said the family has already exhausted its resources trying to keep her alive.
“Princess now undergoes dialysis twice every week. Each week we spend about US$190 on dialysis alone. It is becoming impossible for us to keep up with these costs, but without dialysis she cannot survive,” he said.
“Our greatest hope is to have her undergo a kidney transplant. A family member has already volunteered to donate a kidney, but we still need compatibility tests before the operation can be done.”
Princely said Princess’s painful journey began in 2022 when she was pregnant with her first child.
“She was diagnosed with lupus during pregnancy and became bedridden because of the complications. Despite everything she went through, she managed to give birth to a healthy baby boy.”
The family thought the worst was over, but tragedy struck again in June this year when doctors diagnosed Princess with end-stage kidney failure.
Now the once energetic healthcare worker spends much of her time undergoing treatment instead of caring for patients.
Princely said the family refuses to give up hope.
“We believe Princess deserves another chance at life. She is still young and has a little boy who needs his mother. She has dedicated her life to serving others as a midwife and now she needs the community to stand with her.”
The estimated US$20 000 will cover medical evaluations, donor compatibility testing, transplant surgery, hospital care, medication, travel to India and follow-up treatment before she can safely return home.
The Zinge family is appealing to well-wishers, churches, companies and members of the public to assist with donations, saying every dollar could help save Princess’s life.
Those wishing to help can send donations via EcoCash: +263 779 458 375.
