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News - Date: 02 September 2005
MUFULWI – Mirror has again managed to put a smile on Christopher Matibe’s face who lived a life of pain and suffering due to painful lumps that developed in his ears and chest.
We received countless telephone calls from sympathetic readers who wanted to assist Christopher after his touching story was published a fortnight ago. There is now a visible light at the end of the tunnel for the miserable Christopher because his suffering will now be part of history.
Christopher’s lumps started as a small pimple in the left ear in 1991. He has never known peaceful sleep since then because of the terrible pain. He has twice gone for operations and tried several traditional healers but the lumps emerge again. Since he poured out his pitiful cry to Mirror, he is now a changed man because he now knows that there are people who care for him out there.
Mr David Nemuhuyuni, the Community Liaison Officer of Tshilidzini Hospital, called Mirror to arrange a special clinical assessment for Christopher before surgery can be conducted on him. Nemuhuyuni immediately organized transport to fetch Christopher from his village to Tshilidzini Hospital. He said Christopher is suffering from a rare disease, called kiloid, which has now developed into a critical stage. He said the clinical manager and a senior doctor will examine Christopher and recommend the type of surgery which will be conducted on him. He said the date for the operation will be announced in due course, after the final touches of the preparations.
“This type of infection needs a very careful operation and there is a need to conduct different clinical assessments before the actual operation takes place. We will also need a plastic surgeon during the operation and the senior doctor needs to take a decision, based on the findings of the assessments. Christopher’s story was very touching and we decided to do something for him because it is our duty to improve the lives of our beloved community members…”
Nemuhuyuni further encouraged community members to consult their nearest clinics or hospitals before they are critically infected by diseases. He said it is easier to treat infection during the earlier stages.
Christopher did not have enough words to thank Mirror and Tshilidzini Hospital for coming to his rescue. “I know that I am going to live a normal life because I believe that the lumps will disappear for good, after the special operation. Thank you a thousand times Mirror for publishing my plight. Keep up the good work of speaking for the voiceless,” he said with a big smile on his face.
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