Story by Yolanda Moyo
ZIMBABWE continues to make notable progress towards universal health coverage, exemplified by the transformative free plastic and reconstructive surgeries being performed at Cure Children’s Hospital in Bulawayo.
Among the many beneficiaries is 18-year-old Owen Manhetese from Chimanimani, who now looks to the future with renewed hope, free from the physical and emotional scars that defined much of his early life.
“Growing up was tough. People would stare, and sometimes they would say hurtful things. It made it hard to concentrate in class, and I often felt isolated. I just wanted to be like everyone else and this is the moment. I have heard stories about this hospital and l am confident that my dream of becoming a driver is going to be fulfilled,” he said.
“Owen got burnt when he was five months old as l was preparing porridge for him by the fireplace. He was supposed to have his skin grafted but due to financial constraints we failed. As he grew, the scars tightened, making it difficult for him to move his neck and causing him immense discomfort. Socially, it was tough. Other children would stare, and he became withdrawn. His schooling also suffered as he missed many days due to pain and a lack of confidence. As a mother, it breaks your heart to see your child go through such pain, both physical and emotional. We have waited for this opportunity for so long. Cure Hospital has given Owen a chance to finally feel confident in his own skin,” Owen’s Mother, Ms Precious Mukondo said.
Across the ward, another mother, Ms Solister Sibanda cradles her five-month-old baby, whose cleft lip and palate were surgically repaired at the hospital.
The surgeries have become a bridging gap providing essential services that strengthen the nation’s healthcare system.
“Plastic and reconstructive surgery is not just about aesthetics, it is about restoring function, improving quality of life, and reintegrating these children into society without the burden of physical differences that can lead to social exclusion and psychological distress.
“The hospital offers a diverse range of cases including post-burn contractures, congenital hand differences, and other facial deformities. We have handled a case where we had to remove a bone from the leg for facial reconstruction, and it was a success procedure that we are proud of. From cleft lip and palate repairs to intricate burn reconstructions, the hospital has become a sanctuary for families who would otherwise be unable to afford such specialised care,” Assistant Surgeon, Dr Bongai Sigauke said.
Established in 2021 as a specialist orthopedic hospital, Cure Children’s Hospital in Bulawayo broadened its services in 2023 to include comprehensive plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Since then, the institution has attended to over a thousand patients, providing expert care for conditions ranging from burn contractures and cleft lip and palate to other congenital anomalies and traumatic injuries.
