Princess’ journey from pain to hope Months of prayers answered as UBH nurse gets transplant lifeline from Government

Robin Muchetu, [email protected]

WHAT began as an emotional appeal for help has ended with a ray of hope for a United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) midwife battling kidney failure. During the UBH graduation ceremony yesterday, chief medical officer Dr William Busumani announced that Princess Zinge, whose condition has touched hearts across Bulawayo and beyond, has secured Government funding for a life-saving kidney transplant in India.

The announcement was met with loud applause from graduates, health workers and guests, many of whom have followed Princess’s difficult journey over the past several months.

Princess, a dedicated midwife at UBH, had appealed to Zimbabweans to help raise US$20 000 for a kidney transplant after lupus severely damaged her kidneys. The condition left her dependent on regular dialysis, placing a heavy physical, emotional and financial burden on her and her family.

Her situation sparked a wave of support from colleagues and well-wishers. Staff members at UBH rallied behind her through donations, while Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube took up her case with Government authorities.

Addressing the gathering, Busumani paid tribute to the overwhelming support that Princess had received and acknowledged the role played by Minister Ncube in securing assistance.

“Just to show you how motherly Minister Ncube is, we have one of us, a midwife, Princess, who is not well. I want to thank you all for the donations that have come forward. She is supposed to go to

India for a kidney transplant and there was a tremendous response from UBH staff. I also approached our honourable Minister and I presented this case to her and motherly as she is, she pushed on her side for Government funding,” he said.

Busumani revealed that Minister Ncube had informed him on Thursday that Cabinet had approved travel arrangements for Princess, her donor and a relative, with funding coming from the President’s Office.

“This procedure that Princess is supposed to go for costs at least US$20 000. So far, she called me yesterday (Thursday) to inform me that there was Cabinet approval for Princess, the donor and one relative has been approved by the President. That is what our honourable Minister has done for

Princess and this approval also comes with funding,” he said.

For many at UBH, the announcement marked a significant turning point in a story that has united the hospital community around one of its own.

An emotional Busumani described Princess as a member of the UBH family and expressed gratitude for the support she had received.

“This is what our Honourable Minister has done for us. I call her ‘mum’. At times I have to remind myself that she is an Honourable Minister, but that is how motherly she is, she is very lovely,” he said.

The ceremony briefly paused as Busumani offered a prayer for Princess, a gesture that reflected the deep concern and affection many at the hospital have for their colleague.

Princess is currently in Harare undergoing assessments by a nephrologist ahead of the transplant

procedure. According to Busumani, several medical tests must still be completed before the operation can take place.

“There are many other tests that have to be done before transplants are actually performed. Because of the contributions that you guys have made, she was able to travel to Harare to see the nephrologist, they are only found in Harare. She said everything is under control and going well.”

While the Government’s intervention has removed the biggest obstacle to the transplant, Busumani appealed for continued support, saying Princess and her family still face other expenses linked to her illness.

“Let us continue to contribute, remember there are a lot of other things besides these medical bills.

She is a mother, there are children at home who still need to eat and go to school. There are many other expenses that accompany sickness,” he said.

Princess has been living with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. The illness has severely damaged her kidneys, forcing her to undergo dialysis twice a week.

Her family has been spending about US$190 every week on dialysis treatment, a cost that has placed immense financial pressure on the household.

Now, after months of uncertainty, countless prayers and a remarkable show of support from colleagues, Government and the wider community, Princess’s hopes of receiving a life-saving transplant are closer than ever to becoming a reality.