TUMOUR TORMENTS KABWE WOMAN

By Gracious Kampamba in Kabwe

A 35-year old woman of Kabwe’s Katondo Compound is battling for her life following a growth to her side of the head which has continued growing yet without any cure for years.

The growth is known as a benign tumour. A benign tumour is an abnormal but noncancerous collection of cells also called a benign neoplasm. Benign tumours can form anywhere on or in your body, but many don’t need treatment.

Purity Maulu, a mother of five who has suffered with the growth for many years, has now turned to the public for help as all her to effort to seek medical assistance could not be met due to her financial constraints.

Speaking to The Scoop, Ms. Maulu said her condition started with two small pimples that appeared on her neck, which she said were itchy and forced her to squeeze them as she thought they were just a normal occurrence but that from those two pimples, a tumour emerged.

She said she visited one of the health facilities in Kabwe after it came apparent that the growth was not receding and that she was referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka for special treatment, but that she could not afford the money needed for the treatment and ended up going back to Kabwe.

She said after realising that her condition was not improving, she went back to the UTH where she was told that the tumour could not be treated locally and that it needed specialist treatment abroad but because of financial challenges, there was nothing she could do back go back home with the hope that one day, the tumour would somehow heal on its own but that the situation has since worsened.

“When l went to UTH, I was advised to seek medical attention outside Zambia and a specialized expert l found there explained that my condition could only be treated in India and because my condition is unbearable, I cannot even move about to do other things that can bring me money and fend for my family.

“Even when I am okay, l cannot even manage to meet my daily needs with my five children, not to talk about mobilising resources for me to travel to India for treatment. I am only appealing to the Government and any other well-wishers to help if they can so that I can be attended to because my situation is becoming complex every passing day,” Ms. Maulu pleaded.

She said her problem was not only the pain she has been enduring for years but the stigma she is facing from some members of the community who could not stomach her appearance but sometimes made fun of her appearance.

Katondo Luansase Ward Councillor Austin Kunda said he would assess the situation and see how the affected woman would be helped as her condition meant that she needed urgent help.

Mr Kaunda also revealed the lady had suffered stigma in the community and has since called for help, saying Ms Maulu and her mother survived on a small business at Kachulu market, adding that his office will help them get help they could afford to boost their business for their sustainability.

“I have come across Ms Maulu and her mother and her condition needs help from various stakeholders because as a community alone, it cannot be manageable. We shall ensure our office team will work hand-in-hand with the family to engage relevant authorities to help this family in any way,” Mr. Kunda said.