Victoria Falls baby with hydrocephalus passes away days before first birthday

QUEEN Ncube from Victoria Falls who was born last year with a rare head condition known as hydrocephalus, has died three days before her first birthday.

The little girl succumbed to the disease on Monday while receiving treatment at Karanda Hospital in Mashonaland Central where she had gone for surgery.

Through the help of Victoria Falls well-wishers who since last year had been contributing money for the girl’s family to take her for treatment, Queen had been regularly visiting the hospital outside Harare with the hope the fluids in her head would be drained.

Unfortunately, she succumbed to the condition despite efforts by the community.

Her mother, Ms Sisasenkosi Ndlovu from BH26 under Chief Mvuthu confirmed this morning that Queen had died.

“Yes, she died while in hospital being treated for the wounds and undergoing surgery to drain fluids from her head. I am on my way back home and we had to bury her there because it is too far,” said Ms Ndlovu.

Queen was born through an operation on February 22 last year and her condition had been deteriorating.

The parents appealed for US$3 000 for surgery which some residents contributed.

Local leadership had over the months engaged the Department of Social Welfare for assistance but could not get any help.

Queen’s father Mr Nhlanganiso Ncube and Mother had sold virtually all their belongings, particularly livestock to save their seven-months-old daughter

Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles deep within the brain and the excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen, putting harmful pressure on the brain’s tissues.

At birth, Queen’s backbone was attached to her mother’s body resulting in doctors operating her.

Her backbone was weak and this also affected her weak legs and the right leg bones were soft.

Residents of Victoria Falls and villagers from Mvuthu area launched a fundraising campaign for the girl to raise medical fees so she could undergo surgery.

Queen is the couple’s third and last child.

The other two are aged 13 and nine years.