Tendai Gukutikwa
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
AFTER weeks of fear and despair following the mysterious transformation of their baby’s face into an elderly person, a family from Watsomba can finally breathe a sigh of relief, as doctors at Sally Mugabe (Harare) Hospital have diagnosed their nine-month-old with a medical condition known as diaphragmatic hernia.
The baby, Japhet Junior Chinyanga, who had initially baffled both medical practitioners and traditional healers with his rapidly aging and eerie facial appearance, is now on the mend after being put on oxygen for the past four weeks.
In an interview on Monday, his father, Japhet Chinyanga, said there has been significant improvement in his child’s appearance and breathing.
“We are grateful that our baby’s face now looks like a child’s face again. It feels like we are finally seeing our baby again after so long. We thank God and the doctors who have not given up on him,” he said.
Doctors have diagnosed the baby with diaphragmatic hernia — a medical condition where a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity, affecting lung development and function.
The condition can cause breathing difficulties, feeding problems, and failure to thrive — symptoms which the child had exhibited since he was five months old.
“They said the large intestines have, through the hole in the diaphragm, moved from their original position to the top of his lungs, thereby causing complications. He has been put on medication while he awaits hernia surgery,” said Chinyanga, adding that despite the progress his family still needs assistance.
“Doctors told us that before they can proceed with the hernia operation, they need to conduct an echo-scan to check if Japhet’s heart is strong enough to withstand surgery.
“We were told that the scan costs US$50, which we do not have at the moment. We are therefore appealing to well-wishers to help us raise the money so that our baby can get the operation he desperately needs,” he said.
Chinyanga expressed gratitude to those who came forward earlier to help them as they sought diagnosis.
“We are truly thankful to all the people who helped us raise money for the first scan. Without them, we would not have reached this stage. Now we are asking for additional help because we are close to saving our baby’s life,” he said.
The family’s nightmare began when their baby’s face started changing at around five months of age.
“Initially, they believed it to be a simple skin rash, but as the child’s features continued to transform into what some described as resembling a goblin.
After several hospital visits yielded no clear diagnosis, desperation drove them to consult traditional healers, who suggested witchcraft as the cause.
“We were told by some healers that our child was turned into a goblin by witches and wizards to torment us. It was a dark moment for us. We did not know who to believe or where to turn,” he recounted.
His wife, Rutendo Nyamutata-Chinyanga, who was visibly emotional during the interview, said they have since found peace knowing that their child’s condition is medical and not supernatural.
“It gives me so much hope to know that there is a name for what my son is going through.
“It hurts that he has to go through so much pain at such a young age, but now there is hope that he can be treated.
“According to the doctors, diaphragmatic hernia is often treatable with surgery, but complications can arise if the heart has been compromised, making pre-surgical assessments critical.
“We are a poor family, and do not have the means to raise the money quickly. But we believe that with the help of good-hearted people out there, we can save our baby’s life,” said Nyamutata-Chinyanga.
Those willing to help can send their contributions via Japhet Chinyanga’s EcoCash number: +263774738741
Online Reporter