adminSenior Reporter
THE National University of Science and Technology (Nust) recently pooled resources to send one of its students to India for a life saving heart operation. The fourth year marketing student, Obert Sibanda (25) was diagnosed with a defective heart.Last week, Sibanda walked into the Chronicle newsroom accompanied by his family, fully recovered after the successful operation done last month at Indra Prastha, which is part of the Appollo Group of Hospitals in India.
Dr Ndlovu of Mpilo Central Hospital diagnosed the problem and recommended the operation.
About $60 000 was needed for an operation to correct the anomaly in neighbouring South Africa but his family could not raise the money.
A classmate who is a nun at the Roman Catholic Church suggested to Obert’s aunt, Sister Alphonsa Tapererwa, who is also a nun, that they should approach Nust authorities for assistance.
“The acting dean of students, Ms Stylish Magida took up the issue and relentlessly pursued it until we got a quotation for $15 000 in India. She acted like she was one of the family members to push it through and secure funds for the operation. We are thankful to God, Nust and Dr Ndlovu.
We now know we are part of a blessed family at the university,” said Sister Tapererwa.
Commenting on the operation, an ecstatic Ms Magida said Nust used funds from its Cimas medical aid scheme and some direct from its coffers.
She said Nust prides itself in taking care of its students and offering them assistance even after they left the institution.
The university’s director of information and public relations, Mr Felix Moyo, said the successful operation was testimony that Nust was not just bricks, walls and pavements, but a humane institution with life, blood and a heart at its centre.
Sibanda said he was grateful to Nust for giving him a new lease of life.
Online Reporter