HALUVHIMBI - A terrible disease has forced a frail 71-year-old granny to be a prisoner in her own mud hut. For the past 10 years, Ms Phophi Mmbengeni’s life has been spent in her hut because she cannot walk or use her arms. Her elbows and knees have developed painful and swollen lumps that make her life difficult. She has spent her last cents on consulting western doctors and traditional and spiritual healers, but the pain gets worse on a daily basis. The old lady does not even have a wheelchair and this makes her life more difficult.

“The only option at this point is death, because nothing seems to be helpful. Doctors could never tell me what I suffer from and traditional healers also failed to solve my problem. I have travelled to all the corners of the country, trying to get assistance, but all the attempts have been fruitless. I have used my entire disability grant for medication but I no longer hope that I will ever get any cure. My legs and hands are growing thinner everyday while the lumps are getting bigger…” Phophi spoke with difficulty, tears of pain running down her face.

Six family members survive on Phophi’s old age grant and the money is never enough for her medication, family food and other basic needs.

“I am tired of this pain which makes my life a living hell. I have wasted a lot of money thinking that I would be cured, but the pain gets worse on a daily basis. If there are people who can assist me out there, I will be pleased, although I have already given up on life,” added Phophi while breathing with difficulty.

Phophi’s unemployed son, Ephraim (53), says he has tried his best to find a cure for his ailing mother. “I can’t remember all the doctors we consulted, not mentioning traditional healers and men of the cloth. We will obviously accept any assistance from the community as we are now desperate and need the old lady to enjoy life again…”

The community liaison officer of Donald Fraser Hospital, Nditsheni Mathule said he would conduct a home visit to Phophi to find out how best she could be assisted.

He said he would also make consultations with local home-based care groups and the local clinic to make sure that Phophi gets the necessary attention.

“We were recently on our Wheelchair Campaign to identify people who need wheelchairs urgently. We will check if Phophi is on our list and if she is not there, we will help her to acquire one, because there is an urgent need for a wheelchair for her…”

Nditsheni Mudau of the Department of Health and Social Development says although Phophi receives the old age grant, she also qualifies for additional Grant In Aid (GIA) because she seriously needs an additional income to survive.

“We will visit her urgently to assist her to with the application for the GIA. We will also arrange with different stakeholders to make sure that she receives the medical attention she deserves…”