Child Saved As Chitungwiza Hospital Completes Historic Brain Surgery

Chitungwiza Hospital Completes Historic Brain Surgery

An 11-year-old girl has been given a new lease on life after surgeons at Chitungwiza Central Hospital successfully removed a brain tumour in a groundbreaking operation. The delicate procedure, carried out on 5 October 2025, was the first of its kind at the hospital and marks a milestone for Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector.

The Girl’s Ordeal

The Sunday Mail reports that the young patient, described as an athlete by her doctors, had been suffering from severe symptoms for months.

Her mother, Mrs Sophia Marongepo, recalled the pain of watching her daughter’s health decline.

She said:

“My daughter got ill three months ago and started losing strength in her left hand and leg. She also suffered from serious headaches, but we did not know what was wrong. Dr Nyamapfene did a scan and discovered the tumour. He and his team operated on her and it was successful. We are very grateful to the doctors and nursing staff for saving her life.”

The surgery has brought immense relief to the family, who had feared the worst as their daughter’s condition deteriorated.

The Historic Operation

The hospital’s consultant neurosurgeon, Dr Brighton Valentine Nyamapfene, led the team in the high-risk procedure. He explained how the surgery was performed and why it marked a turning point for the institution.

Dr Nyamapfene said:

“This was the first-ever resection of a brain tumour at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, and it was done on an 11-year-old child, who is also an athlete. She had seizures and weakness on her left side, and a CT scan revealed a glioma. With the help of my colleagues — anaesthetist Dr Tafara Zhou, assistant neurosurgeon Dr Panashe Mangozhe and Sister Milliet Wagoneka who led the nursing staff — we successfully removed the tumour after a four- to six-hour operation.”

The successful extubation of the child immediately after surgery was described as “a big success” by Dr Nyamapfene, who emphasised the precision required in brain operations.

Hope For Zimbabweans

The hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr Raphael Makota, praised the team and highlighted how this achievement expands options for local patients.

Dr Makota said:

“About a year ago, the team did its first craniotomy to remove a blood clot, and now they have managed to remove a brain tumour. This is testimony that our institution continues to expand its range of services. These are high-level operations that people often travel to countries like India for, but now they are being done safely here in Zimbabwe.”

He added that Zimbabweans should have confidence in local institutions, stressing that advanced treatments are becoming more accessible within the country.

The tumour sample has been sent for further tests to determine whether additional treatment will be required, but for the girl and her family, the immediate outcome is nothing short of life-changing.