By going out of his way to secure much-needed craniofacial surgery for a 14-year-old boy with a severe facial deformity, Muzi Mngadi, a theatre porter at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, was recently awarded the coveted Netcare Carer of the Year award for the Gauteng South West Region.
After stopping to watch some boys at play, Mngadi soon noticed a young boy with a major facial deformity, in the midst of the group, being taunted by the other boys.
Mngadi’s heart went out to the boy so there and then he decided to do his utmost to help the young child.
Fortunately, help was not far away as a multidisciplinary medical team headed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Dr Tim Christofides and Dr Martin Kelly, have been providing free corrective craniofacial surgeries for disadvantaged South Africans at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, where Mngadi has worked for several years.
The programme, which is administered and sponsored by the Netcare Foundation, has helped many children with facial anomalies who are often the targets of ridicule and shunned by their communities.
Pieter Louw, the general manager at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, said Mngadi was absolutely determined to get the boy accepted on the programme and that he had left no stone unturned in his quest to facilitate the necessary surgery for the patient.
“When a spot was secured on the programme for his young charge, Muzi was right there, ready to welcome the patient and his mother for the first in a series of procedures. His kindness did not end there as he stayed close at hand to translate everything for the patient and his family. He also bought the boy some sweets in order to cheer him up.
“Muzi’s compassion and caring not only touched the life of a young boy but all who have travelled with him on his amazing journey. He is to be commended for his kindness and we are delighted to present him with this award,” he said.
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