Wanga Khumeleni was born with two serious heart defects that needed surgical repair. In the state sector, the waiting time for her operations would have taken six months.
But she had an early birthday gift and on June 21 she enjoyed her sixth birthday with a fully functioning heart — thanks to a public private initiative that saw her have the life-changing intricate heart surgery at one of the country’s private hospitals, Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, much earlier than anticipated.
The state-of-the-art paediatric cardiothoracic centre at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, where Wanga had her surgery two months ago, is the largest of its kind in Africa.
Cardiothoracic surgeons Erich Schürmann and Hendrick Mamorare of the Maboneng Heart and Lung Institute, paediatric cardiologist Janine Meares and anaesthetist Krishnee Naidoo from Sunninghill Hospital came together and gave their time and expertise pro bono to perform Wanga’s heart operation.
“It is a huge relief for us that our daughter’s operation was a success. Just a few days later Wanga was discharged from hospital, and we could take her home. Not long after, she was able to return to school and play with her friends. We are so thankful to all the doctors and nurses who looked after our daughter and the organisations that made it possible,” said Wanga’s father, Takalani Khumeleni.
It came as a shock to the family from Olievenhoutbosch in Centurion, Pretoria, when doctors discovered their daughter had a heart murmur. They were referred to Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where Wanga was seen by a team led by paediatric cardiologist Professor Lindy Mitchell.
“One in every 100 children is born with a significant heart defect. In South Africa, about 12,000 children are born every year with a life-threatening heart problem,” said Mitchell.
“While many adult heart problems can only be managed, the majority of children’s heart defects can fortunately be repaired, leaving the child with a normal quality of life, life expectancy and future. We have to find these children to help them, and then have trained paediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons to treat them. Yet, while the problem of heart disease in children is huge, the number of specialists available to treat them is unfortunately very small,” she said.
After seeing Wanda, Mitchell then applied to the private sector so that she could be helped much sooner. Netcare Foundation, Netcare’s corporate social investment (CSI) arm, and the Maboneng Foundation got involved to ensure the life-saving surgeries happened with no cost to Wanga’s family.
“Wanga has a big personality for such a little person. She is our only child for now, and she is a wonder to us every day. Her birthday had special significance for us this year because of all that she has been through and has overcome,” said the doting father.
“She has a great sense of humour and makes us laugh all the time. She loves swimming and dancing, and I am sure she will discover many more talents as she grows up.”
Mande Toubkin, Netcare’s GM: emergency, trauma, transplant and CSI said like Wanga, there are many other children who are born with life limiting conditions requiring highly resourced intensive medical procedures.
“Working together through initiatives such as this, health care can reach more children and make the world of difference to their lives, and their families, for the future.”
Schürmann described Wanga as one of the “fortunate few, but she represents a drop in the ocean”.
“We need more sponsors and public private co-operation to save more lives,” he said.
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