The Sunday News
A FORMER Victoria Falls municipality health officer is reportedly stuck in India together with her son, where she had gone for chemo radiation therapy for a brain tumour, and is now failing to settle a hospital bill in full.
After being diagnosed with brain tumour in Harare in October 2012, Mrs Sifiso Maseko (46) of Mkhosana Township in Victoria Falls flew to India in December last year for the surgery at Maxi Hospital where she is being held for outstanding bills.
She was accompanied by her 27-year-old son, Brian.
Her family is trying to raise about $30 000 to bring her back home and she has to travel with a doctor to monitor her progress following a successful operation on her brain.
“She was diagnosed with brain tumour through MRI scan in Harare and the specialist referred her to India as Zimbabwe does not have resources for chemo-radiation therapy,” her husband Mr Mcabango Maseko said.
“We raised $13 000 from her retirement package and from friends and relatives to cover air tickets, hospital bill and accommodation, based on the quotation from Maxi Hospital. The bill was $8 500 while air tickets and accommodation expenses were $4 500.”
He said when his wife arrived in India, specialists said the tumour had developed and as such she had to undergo a brain surgery rather than chemo-radiation therapy as initially planned, meaning there was a need to pay more.
“We thank God the operation was successful, although it meant that the budget had to change. Unfortunately she developed complications and a second brain surgery was prescribed worth $5 000 while 30 days later she underwent chemo-radiation therapy worth about $5 000 more and we couldn’t raise the money,” said Mr Maseko.
“She is still at Maxi Hospital in India and she and our son cannot come back home because of the money owed to the hospital. We therefore ask for assistance in cash or kind so we can bring her home along with a doctor.”
Those willing to help can contact the family on 0772388494, 0772359027, 0773473160 or deposit the money into Mr Brian Maseko’s Barclays Account Number 2598-1010949.
