The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE seven-year-old boy from Bulawayo, whose staunch Jehovah’s Witness parents allegedly denied him access to medical treatment, after suffering a cancer related illness has died.
His parents allegedly refused him to undergo a blood transfusion to save his life, citing religious reasons.
Eugene Mbewe was admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), in February this year, after suffering a cancerous ulcer, which saw him losing his left leg.
A health worker at the hospital, who requested anonymity, confirmed the boy’s death, saying he passed away last weekend.
“He was denied a right to medical treatment and life. His parents, because of their ridiculous beliefs put the boy through an agonising experience.
“He died a very painful death. If ever there is a law, something should be done. He was lacking in blood. He was not producing any blood. All he was getting was medication for pain and injections to try and assist him to generate blood but it was in vain. He really needed a transfusion when it was necessary,” said the health worker.
Initially doctors had prescribed that the boy undergoes a blood transfusion, before he eventually lost his leg.
“The boy was not producing blood and his wound was septic. It was not healing and it eventually fell off, as it was rotting.
“He literally had maggots eating away at his flesh because his parents didn’t want anybody to assist. We did all we could and even tried to talk some sense into his mother but she wouldn’t have it.”
The boy’s mother was also reported to have kept the boy guard since admission to ensure the hospital did not carry out a blood transfusion as prescribed.
UBH clinical director Dr Narcisius Dzvanga could not confirm the death, saying he had not been made aware of the development.
“I cannot confirm at the moment, as I have not been informed anything on the recent development,” he said.
@peterkmatika
