Nokuphila Mabena spoke about the traumatic event which led to the hospitalisation of her son after he suffered a stroke in July this year.
Eighteen-year old Mbonisi Moyo was unable to see his family while hospitalised due to the hard lockdown during July. Since then, Mbonisi has returned home after being diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.
Sickle cell anaemia is a disease where blood cells are crescent shaped instead of round. This unique shape of his blood cells caused a lack of blood supply to his brain which caused the stroke and affected the way the left side of his body functions.
Since the stroke, Mbonisi has begun physiotherapy to retrain his brain to control his arm and leg, as his body heals from the stroke. He attends Hillbrow General Hospital for physiotherapy on his leg and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic hospital to treat his arm once a week.
Mabena told Randburg Sun that because of her status as a foreign national from Zimbabwe, she must pay for her son to be treated at public hospitals which she did not expect. Mabena must pay R26 500 for the month Mbonisi stayed in hospital, and R5 000 for the consultation as well as medication. Employed as a domestic worker, this is money she does not have.
When Mbonisi had his stroke, Mabena reached out to long-time friend Landy Yeatman who was eager to help.
Mabena expressed sincere gratitude for Yeatman’s assistance.
Mbonisi’s next hospital visit was scheduled for 10 November, however, his mother said the hospital staff told her she would be turned away if she was unable to settle her debt before then.
Details: Nokuphila Mabena 067 399 6415 or 072 286 4770.
