South Africa: solidarity chain to operate on boy attacked by hyena in Zimbabwe
The story of a Zimbabwean boy attacked by a hyena has moved members of the South African caregiver community (image illustration) AFP - JOHN THYS
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3 min
This weekend, several surgeons and health specialists welcomed a 9-year-old child from Zimbabwe to a private clinic in Johannesburg.
In early May, the boy was attacked by a hyena during a nocturnal religious ceremony outdoors.
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With our correspondent in Johannesburg,
Romain Chanson
The child lost an eye, a nose and part of his mouth and forehead.
Moved by this tragedy, South African caregivers managed to mobilize teams and donations to bring this child and operate for free.
It all started with a phone call to a nurse one evening in May.
A week after the attack, Maqshuda Kajee, a nurse specializing in trauma and patient transport, receives a call from a colleague. “
She sent me pictures of the attack and asked if I could bring the child to South Africa for care. And I said to him:
"listen I can always try"
. You know, as a mother, these kinds of things touch you
”.
Maqshuda Kajee spent the following weeks raising funds and support.
An airline offers the trip, surgeons assemble a team to operate for free, donations pour in to finance the boy's medication and recovery.
Rodwell Khomazana finally arrived on Saturday June 19 in South Africa, a month after the attack.
The child is greeted at the clinic with songs.
This is a first challenge successfully met for Maqshuda Kajee.
“
Yes, the fact that he arrived in South Africa is already exceptional.
But now the hardest part is ahead of us.
In particular several heavy operations.
He must be re-taught to eat, smile and speak correctly after all these operations.
"
So that he finds the smile, Rodwell Khomazana will also be followed psychologically to overcome this trauma.
In his hospital room, he is not alone, his mother accompanies him.
This Monday, Rodwell Khomazana must undergo the first examinations under anesthesia to be able to establish what will be the next step in the operations.
The arrival of Rodwell Khomazana at Sandton Mediclinic for Reconstructive journey.
Rodwell was attacked by a Hyena in Harare.
@DrRidwanMia is spearheading the treatment and fundraising drive.
#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/81CfrMhpmL 👉🏽 #HelpRodwell 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾
- Ashraf Garda (@AshrafGarda) June 19, 2021
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