The nine-year Zimbabwean boy that was attacked by a hyena last month now requires plastic surgery. The young boy, Rodwell Khomazana lost his nose, left eye, most of his upper lip, bits of his forehead and other parts of his face when he was attacked during an evening church service outside Harare on May 2.
As reported by News 24, South African surgeons are now preparing to reconstruct the boy’s face after doctors at one of Harare’s main public hospitals tried their best to patch him up. Khomazana’s family was unable to afford specialised surgery which is only offered abroad. However, his mother contacted medics in South Africa, who agreed to operate on him for free at a private facility in Johannesburg.
He was flown to Johannesburg on Saturday, June 19, and his surgery will take place on Monday, June 21, where doctors will perform an exploratory surgery first followed by a complex operation expected to last around 20 hours.
The arrival of Rodwell Khomazana at Sandton Mediclinic for Reconstructive journey. Rodwell was attacked by a Hyena in Harare. @DrRidwanMia is spearheading the treatment and fundraising drive . #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/81CfrMhpmL ?? #HelpRodwell ??????
— Ashraf Garda (@AshrafGarda) June 19, 2021
Doctors will use some tissue from other parts of his body to reconstruct his jaw, nose, mouth and cheeks. Khomazana will also be fitted with a prostatic eye. Meanwhile, plastic surgeon Dr Ridwan Mia, who is part of the pro bono team, told Daily Maverick, that the middle part of the boy’s face is missing including most of his upper lip and his nose, part of his forehead, so it will be a huge task if they can get him a face that he can walk around in public with and still feel and be as normal a child.
Further donations for Khomazana can be made into the MealSA account: MealSA, FNB account number 6284 989 7197, branch code 250655 and reference: Face.
Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery