When she received the news that she was pregnant, she wanted to name her baby, Simphiwe (we have been given), but after her ‘bundle of joy’ was born with life threatening complications, she decided to name her baby boy Manqoba, which in English means the conqueror, praying and hoping her new born will survive.
The 26-year-old mother, Nokulunga Dlodlo from White City is desperately in need of help for her son Manqoba Dlodlo who has made it to 1 year 2 months even after she was allegedly told that chances of her baby making it were very low.
“When I was pregnant, I followed every Antenatal Care (ANC) procedures, I had booked at Dayveton Main Clinic and everything was seemingly going well, no complications.I never did any scans or ultrasounds as I couldn’t afford and clinics don’t offer those. I think that could have probably picked up some of the problems before birth,” Dlodlo said.
“When I gave birth at Phillip Moyo Clinic, that’s when they saw that my baby has an open palate and other birth defects including the ears, hands, feet, and spine. I was then transferred to Far East Rand Hospital where they suspected a condition called, Trizomy 18. He was admitted but I was told that chances of my baby surviving until 6 months are very low. I was also told that babies with the condition usually don’t survive and our appointment for surgery will be at the bottom of the list. He was then transferred to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital for further examinations,” Dlodlo said.
Dlodlo said that she also did a scan that showed that the baby’s spine was curved. Trisomy 18, which is a condition that causes severe development delays due to an extra chromosome 18 was ruled out at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. “At Charlotte Maxeke I was then told that it is not Trisomy 18.
They suspected something related to genetics. Covid-19 delayed the process of fixing this problem as I was told that fixing it was possible.
But due to the pandemic, I was told I could not bring the baby and I feel like the appointment, which is next year March is too far. My baby is suffering and I need help,” Dlodlo said.
Dlodlo and her mother Nomsa, said that they’re asking for any form of assistance because watching the baby struggle with the basics is painful.
“At this point babies are expected to walk, to start talking even if it’s baby talk. Mine can’t do those, it hurts, I am a young mother and would like to also get a job and work for my baby, but I can’t leave him with anyone, considering his condition. Even worse, when he cries, if you’re not next to him you wouldn’t hear him as his voice is extremely low, so imagine leaving him with another person to take care of him,” she said.
Baby Manqoba feeds with a different and special feeding bottle because of his open palate. He has an opening on the roof of the mouth, leaving a hole between the nose and the mouth.
The feeding bottle can’t be found at any store, he was only given one at the hospital and it’s getting old and they can’t use normal ones.
“My mother is unemployed, Manqoba’s father who is really supportive is also unemployed, yes I receive grant but his condition demands more than what the grant can do for us,” she said.
Dlodlo is asking for any form of assistance to save Manqoba even if it’s a special chair for him to sit comfortably without being held or an extra special feeding bottle. She said she loves Manqoba and prays for his survival daily.
