Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, Zimpapers Reporter
THE International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IFSBH) has donated 50 shunts to Mpilo Central Hospital to assist children living with hydrocephalus.
A shunt is a hollow tube surgically inserted into the brain — or occasionally the spine — to help drain cerebrospinal fluid and redirect it to another part of the body where it can be reabsorbed. Shunt procedures are vital in relieving pressure on the brain caused by hydrocephalus.
The donation was made through the Hydrocephalus Association, which has played a pivotal role in mobilising resources to secure shunts for children, many of whom come from impoverished families, unable to afford the cost. Locally, a single shunt costs around US$250.
Children with hydrocephalus from the Southern Region of Zimbabwe are referred to Mpilo Central Hospital, the only referral centre in the area with a neurosurgeon qualified to perform the procedure. The neurosurgeon conducts weekly operations to insert the shunts, allowing excess fluid in the brain to be drained.
If left untreated, the fluid build-up places pressure on the brain, leading to severe headaches and potentially permanent brain damage. Children with the condition often present with visibly enlarged heads due to the accumulation of fluid.
Early diagnosis and surgical intervention significantly improve the chances of affected children living normal lives.
Mpilo Central Hospital neurosurgeon, Dr Garikai Mwale, said many children are in urgent need of the operation, but due to limited resources, only three procedures can be performed each week.
“The numbers are overwhelming. At Mpilo Central Hospital, we operate on a minimum of three children per week.
We cannot keep up with the demand, and many children are forced to wait — yet these procedures should be treated as emergencies.
“The longer a child lives with pressure on the brain, the higher the risk of permanent neurological damage. Some children wait for months before surgery. We only have one neurosurgeon in the region, and sourcing shunts has been a major challenge,” said Dr Mwale.
Dr Mwale praised the Hydrocephalus Association for its efforts in securing shunts, which have enabled more children to receive the critical treatment they need.
“He also urged parents to seek medical attention early to prevent irreversible brain damage.
Mpilo Central Hospital Principal Nursing Officer, Matron Phineas Sithole, described the donation as a vital step in supporting children across the southern region.
“It may seem small in terms of numbers, but its impact is far-reaching.
“We are the only hospital in the region with a neurosurgeon. This donation will benefit children from the Midlands, Masvingo, Matabeleland Provinces and Bulawayo. It will ease the burden on our doctors, especially as many parents struggle to afford the shunts,” he said.
Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe Director, Pastor Lyn Ndlovu — who has dedicated years to supporting children with the condition — welcomed the support from IFSBH.
“We are thrilled to have received the 50 shunts from IFSBH. I am also working with various partners, including the National University of Science and Technology, Island Hospice and others, to advance research into the condition.
My wish is to provide comfort, proper nutrition and education to these children, because they are incredibly intelligent,” she said.
@themkhust
