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Herald Reporter
President Mugabe on Thursday visited a 10-year-old Chivi boy admitted at Harare Central Hospital for a delicate life-changing operation on a tumour that is covering his face, with the surgery funded by fellow villagers.

The President went to the hospital to commission state-of-the-art medical equipment worth $100 million bought using a loan sourced from China and expected to overhaul the country’s health delivery system.

President Mugabe then toured the Intensive Care Unit and the theatre where he visited the boy.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, who accompanied the President together with Chinese Ambassador Mr Lin Lin and Health and Child Care permanent secretary Dr Gerald Gwinji, said he asked the boy what operation he was in hospital for.

Tatenda Mapfurashanga’s life is set to return to normal after the villagers came to his rescue as he was no longer able to attend school at Chasiya Primary School because of the tumour that continued to grow.

Chivi villagers made contributions of almost $3 500 when the boy was presented at a district conference on Zim-Asset a few weeks ago. Former Chivi Central legislator Cde Paul Mangwana chipped in with $1 000 while Chivi businessman Mr Alex Mashamhanda contributed $1 000.

Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association director general Mr Killer Zivhu, who is also the Chivi Rural District Council chairperson also contributed $1 000. Also touched by the boy’s plight, Chivi villagers at the district’s Zim-Asset conference also raised $500.

Mr Zivhu said it was important for Zimbabweans to help each other, especially the underprivileged. “His parents failed to raise the needed funds and through our charity programme called Wezhira Ndionewo, we thought it good that this child also live a normal life.”

Tatenda’s mother, Mrs Mercy Mawombe, said it was increasingly becoming difficult to take care of the boy. “His nose is sometimes blocked and it becomes difficult for him to breath and, he also loses his speech,” she said.