Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu
FOR the past 23 years, Ms Prisca Machato from Mzilikazi suburb, Bulawayo struggled with a lump on her right arm as she had no means to have it surgically removed.
Although the lump was painless, it altered her way of life and she no longer enjoyed wearing most of her dresses.
What started as a tiny lump in 2000 eventually grew and became a source of discomfort as the 59-year-old woman could not afford hospital fees to consult or get advice on what to do.
Ms Machato however got a shot in the arm after she was selected to be one of the Operation of Hope programme beneficiaries.
The organisation is on its 32nd mission to Zimbabwe and the ongoing surgeries at Mpilo Central Hospital mark 11 years since they began working at the public hospital.
Operation of Hope provides free, life-changing surgery and health care for children in desperate need and creates a self-sustaining programme of hope through education.
The programme targeting those with cleft lips and pallets started on May 7 at Mpilo Central Hospital and will end on May 19.
In an interview just before her surgery yesterday, Ms Machato said she was grateful for another chance to lead a normal life like other women.
“What was more stressful was dressing up as I had to seek the help of my children to come dress me up. I am very grateful for the help as we are not paying anything. The love and care we have received so far is commendable, especially from qualified professionals whom I never thought I would afford in my life,” said Ms Machato.
“I am also humbled by the level of interest in our well-being as patients; it’s comforting to know that we have people with such golden hearts.”
Another beneficiary, Ms Nomathemba Nyathi said she had to travel from neighbouring South Africa to access life-changing surgery for her four-year-old daughter who had a double cleft lip.
She said her daughter had undergone two surgeries before in South Africa which left her in a worse off situation.
“My baby has just come out of surgery and I am happy to say these guys have restored hope in my life as I was convinced that she would never heal from her double cleft lip. I heard about the programme from my sister who encouraged me to come although I had lost all hope,” she said.
“Honestly, I just came to fulfill her wishes but I am so relieved to see that all my child needed was surgery from this organisation. May God bless these people and the work of restoring hope that they do for free. I am happy to see my daughter smiling knowing that the worst is over.”
Ms Nokuthula Ncube from Binga said her two grandchildren who are at the hospital also came from South Africa as their mother failed to access the needed services.
She said one of the twin girls who are aged nine months was born with a cleft lip.
“My daughter struggled to get medical attention to rectify the problem as she was put on the waiting list for months at one of the public hospitals. We saw a message from Econet and updated her before she travelled. I am happy with the services we got and we can’t fully express how grateful we are to the organisation.”
Operation of Hope president Ms Jennifer Trubenbach said the target was to help at least 50 children and adults with a cleft lip which is a split lip or a hole in the mouth.
“We started surgeries about three days ago and we have managed to complete at least 16 of the 50 that we wish to conduct by the end of the programme. We will have another screening on Sunday, May 14 at Mpilo and we encourage anyone that suffers from a cleft lip or pallet or knows anyone suffering to come forward,” said Ms Trubenbach.
She said the organisation would handle and provide cleft lip surgery for any child or adult and the child should be at least three months old and in good health.
“For the pallet, we don’t have many openings but if we are able, we will offer the service for any child aged 12 months to around five years. We are happy to be here as we have surgeons that are coming from the UK, Canada, and the US. We have a team of 46, half is here and the other team will be coming in next week,” added Ms Trubenbach.
She said: “We hope to return next year to help more kids and encourage members of the public to visit our social media pages and we will gladly respond to any questions.”
The majority of beneficiaries are coming from outside Bulawayo.
Mpilo Central Hospital public relations officer Sister Norma Mabhena said members of the public should make the most of the opportunity.
“We urge members of the public to come forward and benefit from these services being offered for free by specialists. We know that some adults also failed to get these opportunities as they were growing up hence the need for them to come forward during our next screening day on Sunday,” said Sr Mabhena.
Online Reporter