The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
CALVIN Moyo, the 21-year-old eSiphezini giant who was recently diagnosed with acromegaly is appealing for assistance to purchase the medication prescribed to him by a local doctor so that he may contain the excessive production of his growth hormone.
A well-wisher, Dr Cletos Masiya a medical practitioner at Charter House Medical Centre in Bulawayo offered to assist Calvin in determining his condition and seeking a possible solution to his predicament and did the tests in May. Dr Masiya however, prescribed medicine which must be taken twice weekly for three months, for which Calvin’s mother Ms Sifiso Moyo was charged US$65 for a month’s supply and US$1 494 for another type of medication for three months again at a local pharmacy.
“I prescribed an injection and it can also be found in tablet form. So, if they do not have the tablets they can opt for the injection. Now because of the price, I have spoken to the mother to say let us get another option of tablets for now, while we look for either the needed injection or tablets later on but treatment can start with whatever resources are available,” he said.
Ms Moyo said she was not in a position to secure the medications for the whole prescribed period.
“I am unable to get all the drugs, I am trying to raise the US$65 for the other drug, at least if he gets one month’s supply then it is better than for my son to sit without any medication. I am grateful that Dr Masiya took an interest and did the necessary tests on him and he was able to pinpoint that he has a condition. So now I am kindly asking if I can secure some money to assist in purchasing the drugs, I would be grateful. At least if he completes the three months, then it’s better,” she pleaded.
Ms Moyo is also a mother to five other children whom she has to fend for and is unemployed. She sells chicken cuts on the streets to make a living. Persons with acromegaly usually have abnormally large hands and feet, large prominent facial features such as the nose and lips, and even an enlarged tongue. The person may also have skin changes such as thick, coarse, oily skin, skin tags, sweating too much, and even the deepening of the voice as a result of enlarged sinuses and vocal cords.
Calvin also has very high prolactin hormone levels made by the pituitary gland which in men, can cause impotence, reduced desire for sexual intercourse, and infertility.
Calvin also needs assistance in sourcing food and clothing as his huge frame makes him have too much appetite. According to his uncle who is his primary caregiver in Nkayi where he is now residing, he needs three solid meals a day. Calvin eats very big meals and relies on sadza/isitshwala three times a day as “bread does not make him full”. He gobbles 15kg of mealie meal each week for his meals. The last shoe size he wore was a size 18 purchased from South Africa and it was too expensive then, and they suspect he currently wears shoes in the region on size 23. Calvin also needs clothes, detergents and blankets.
“I would like fitting clothes especially trousers as all the ones I have do not fit. Shoes I can make my own sandals because there are no sizes for people like me,” he said.
Owing to his condition, Calvin bed wets and sometimes soils himself in his sleep and requires detergents to wash his blankets and clothes and to keep himself clean too. For assistance, please contact Ms Sifiso Moyo on 0782852897/Sunday News on 0772755127. — @NyembeziMu
