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Tadious Manyepo-Herald Reporter

FIVE-YEAR-OLD Leon Shumbairerwa, who underwent a successful liver transplant at the Artemis Hospital in Gurugram, India, returned home yesterday.

The boy was suffering from liver cirrhosis and he was surviving on oxygen before the Government, through the Department of Social Welfare, chipped in with the required US$40 700 for him to undergo the procedure.

So bad was his condition that oxygen was bypassing his lungs and his family had to part with over $6 000 daily to ensure the boy, who was at every turn carrying a 9kg oxygen cylinder, survived.

In October, 2021, Shumbairerwa was diagnosed with a rare condition called hepatopulmonary syndrome, a condition that affects the lungs of those with advanced liver complications.

His family had since then been looking for help after doctors told them their son needed to be operated on with at least US$40 000 needed for the procedure.

A liver donor, with matching blood group and other conditions, was also needed.

The Government then provided the funds in January this year with Leon’s father, Mr Piniel Shumbairerwa, initially earmarked to be the donor but reportedly withdrew at the 11th hour, prompting the boy’s uncle, George Hwami, whose conditions matched with Leon, to chip in.

Yesterday, the Robert Mugabe International Airport was turned into a mini carnival as the joyous family members welcomed back Leon who was walking alone and breathing normally.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Kindness Paradza, who also saw off the boy and her uncle to India four months ago, welcomed them back amid jubilant scenes.

“I am so happy that Leon is now back having undergone successful surgery in India. He is fit after the 17-hour procedure went on very well.

“I must thank His Excellency, the President, for paying all the medical bills through the  Department of Social Welfare. I must also thank the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for making the money available. That shows that the President is a caring President, he is pro-poor and he is for the vulnerable.

“I am so happy that this boy was virtually unknown before but the President chose to assist him. He (the boy) is now fine and fit unlike when he left for India when he was frail and breathing through oxygen,” said Deputy Minister Paradza.

Leon’s mother Ms Nyasha Mhandu, Shumbairerwa, who accompanied the two to India, said she prayed for miracles and she was duly answered.

“I never thought that we would be able to come back home with my son walking like he is doing right now. I was so nervous, it was something else but I would like to thank my family who taught me to pray, I always prayed for the best and the best happened.

“I had to put everything before God. The process was hard, being alone in a foreign land with two patients. Imagine having two people in Intensive Care Unit. It was hard. The situation was fragile  for my uncle (liver piece donor) who stayed in ICU for four days. The hospital staff allowed me to see him for just a few minutes. And the side where Leon was, well it was critical as the staff needed to prevent infection by all means.

“I would like to salute the Government through the President for the help they rendered to us,” said Ms Mhandu-Shumbairerwa.

Mr Hwami, who donated part of his liver, said all he wanted was to afford Leon a chance to live normally even if it meant jeopardising his own life.

“I left the country on January 22 this year. The situation was tough, but it needed courage. When we were told the father had refused to donate the needed organ, I just had to sacrifice for the good of my nephew.

“The process went on well and I would like to thank the Government for the assistance. I was not afraid, I had to save a life but well what I went through is hard, I am however happy everything went on well,” said Mr Hwami.