Southlea Hospital Free Health Expo: Chimoio Teen Walks Again After Major Surgery

Mpundu Valerie

After a cart accident that left 13-year-old Tapiwanashe Karonga of Chimoio bedridden for more than 6 weeks, his mother Ndai Karonga was left dumbfounded.

Tapiwa's case was one of the major surgeries carried out ahead of the Health Expo - complex orthopaedic procedures for neglected fractures and joint conditions that families could not afford. For over a month, the boy from Chimoio could not walk, surviving on painkillers as his condition worsened. The surgery has now given him a new chance at walking again.

In a separate interview, Managing Director and Chief Surgeon Dr. Eliot Freddy Chikati highlighted how impactful the call-out has been, emphasizing the magnitude of the surgeries and the turnout.

"During the course of the week, we have been operating on some critical surgical cases, the majority of them being neglected fractures and joint conditions. Tapiwanashe's was one of the major surgeries done," he said. An excited and grateful patient with a broad and proud smile couldn't help but show her joy.

"I can wear my smile confidently after today. Dental consultations and care can be expensive. But today I got the chance to smile again," she said. Another beneficiary commended the initiative.

"It takes not only a man in himself but a man whom God sees through to offer such services. 'Hazviitwe nevakawanda izvi, chokwadi ngatitendei kana umwe atiitira chakanaka,'he noted.

By 10 am, more than 300 patients had been attended to, and by midday they had exceeded the 778 mark - and were still counting. Nobody was turned away, everybody had the chance to see a professional assigned to them. As dawn turned to dusk, services were still being provided

Southlea Hospital Harare South free healthcare