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Trish Mukwazo, trishmukwazo515@gmail.com
MRS Isabel Mavengano, a 52-year-old Bulawayo teacher who has been battling a chronic kidney ailment for several years has finally secured a matching organ donor and is expected to leave the country today for surgical procedure in India.
The procedure, which is not readily available in Zimbabwe, will be performed in India at a cost of about US$40 000.
The Chronicle published Mrs Mavengano’s appeal for help sometime in July last year, which helped raise awareness of her plight and influenced more public responses for her support.
As a result, she has managed to raise over US$29 000 for the surgical procedure and the amount is supposed to cover the surgery, post-operative care, travel and accommodation expenses.
Her initial kidney donor had to pull out due to some health complications and she managed to get another one who is a family member and they will travel together.
Mrs Mavengano’s friend, Mrs Nomathuli Makwenzi, who has assisted her during the whole course of seeking funds by fundraising events confirmed the journey.
“Fortunately, we have a family member donating a kidney. The original donor had to pull out last minute due to health challenges. We have managed to get just over US$29 000. So, we have just decided to take the step and make the lifesaving trip,” she said.
“They will be taking the trip tomorrow and would depart from the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.”
Mrs Mavengano, who teaches children with learning difficulties had been on peritoneal dialysis for the past three years, a treatment that has kept her condition stable but is not a long-term solution.
She is now on hemodialysis and her doctors have recommended a kidney transplant as the best option for her survival and well-being.
She needs the immediate medical intervention to improve her quality of life and prevent further health complications.
Mrs Mavengano has been on insulin treatment since the age of 16 when she was diagnosed with diabetes.
Due to her ailment, Mrs Mavengano said she has since stopped undertaking some of her daily household chores, among other activities.
“This condition took a toll on me as I couldn’t take as much fluid as I wanted to. My kidney condition has made me prone to anaemia and I have lost the energy,” she said.
“With kidney problems, it meant I had to avoid food high in phosphorus and iodine like choumoellier and sweet potatoes. Peritoneal dialysis meant that I had to have my day properly planned.