A 64-year-old man from Zvishavane afflicted with a tumour in his oesophagus is appealing for help to pay for surgery.
Gift Jestara says he needs US$15 000 to undergo surgery in South Africa.
He says he is in constant pain and is no longer able to eat solid foods
“I am suffering from an oesophagus tumour in my throat. I do not eat any type of hard food, sadza, bread, etc. I do not drink or swallow saliva, I cough a lot,” he said.
Jestara said he had an operation at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare where they inserted a tube in his stomach which enables him to consume liquids, “preferably milk.”
“I have lost so much weight and feel weak, at times my sputum has a red colour like blood,” he said.
In addition, his wife Ellen Jestara said her husband’s condition started in 2022.
“It started last year around March when he was failing to swallow sadza, then there was a time he only wanted porridge or rice or even a drink, then it escalated to a point when he couldn’t swallow anything even his saliva or water and he would vomit,” she said
“We realised that things were bad around November 2022 and we went to a district hospital in Zvishavane and we were referred to Gweru where he did some medical tests which were taken to the lab. All this time he was surviving on a drip as he was no longer eating.”
Jestara said they ended up taking her husband to Parirenyatwa where the doctors said the only option was to insert a tube through his stomach which will enable him to eat.
“My husband is in pain, at the moment he is only surviving on ensure milk through the tube. Milk is very expensive. It costs US$20 and it lasts three days, at times we give him juice or soup when we don’t have money for the milk.
“We are appealing for US$15 000 for him to undergo an operation in South Africa. The money also covers passports and travelling expenses,” said Jestara.
Those willing to assist Jestara can contact his wife Ellen Jestara on 0772 588 699.
