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 Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Health Reporter

At age 40, Peggy Muzondiwa cannot do much for herself.

She can barely lift a 5-litre bucket of water, she cannot walk a distance of 500 metres without feeling dizzy or do simple tasks that we all take for granted.

Muzondiwa  has a heart condition, which was only diagnosed in 2011.

Growing up, she was told that she was asthmatic and was taking asthma medication until she turned 29.

That was when doctors at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals told her that she had been taking the wrong medication all along.

“After a series of x-rays and scans, I was told that I had Rheumatic Heart disease,” said Muzondiwa. “In fact, the mitral valve was in such bad condition it was almost failing. The doctors recommended that I go for surgery, but I could not afford it so I was put under medication while waiting for the surgery.”

But it has been 10 years now and she still hasn’t had the operation.

In that time, her condition has worsened and she can no longer do most of the things she could back then.

Muzondiwa now needs to travel to India for an operation which could ultimately save her life.

“The doctors have said my only hope is to get the operation in India, but that will cost a lot of money which I do not have. I have not been able to work for a long time because of this illness, so now I stay with my mother who works as a house helper.

“Although she has been taking care of me, she cannot afford to raise the money needed for my operation and other expenses. I am appealing to well wishers to assist me to raise money so that I can have a normal life.” 

Muzondiwa  urgently needs to raise US$11 866, of which US$9 300 will go towards her evaluation and surgery at Artenis Hospital in India, while she and her mother will need US$2 566 for flight tickets, accommodation for three weeks and visa application fees.

ZimHeart Trust has been assisting Muzondiwa to get the treatment she needs while she awaits for surgery. For now, she is taking a combination of four tablets, which might not work for long as her valve continues to weaken.

ZimHeart Trust co founder Mr Farai Chirikure said the organisation had negotiated for Peggy to have an ECG and Eco at Parirenyatwa at no cost and they were also buying her monthly supply of medications.

According to the World Health Organisation data published in 2018, coronary heart disease deaths in Zimbabwe stood at 5 896 or 4.96 percent of total deaths.

Heart surgery is complex and very expensive resulting in a significant number of patients dying before they can get assistance.

For Muzondiwa, her only hope now lies in finding donors to sponsor her trip to India.

“Every day, I pray that God sends an angel who can help me. I long for a normal life, a life with no pain. I know this operation can help me get that. Maybe then, I can breathe more easily, eat, sleep and even laugh. Right now I cannot do all those things.”

Those willing to assist can get in touch with Peggy on 0712 871 765 or send donations through her mother:

Florence Ruweta Sande

Cabs Nostro account number 1130555933

Chisipite Branch

 EcoCash 0773216846