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24-Yr-Old Man With Rare Health Condition
24-year-old Robiana Muteka of Livingstone has never known life without pain.
Muteka of house No. DB 166 Dambwa Central, is tormented by a rare condition, the solution to which medical practitioners are yet to find.
“I don’t sleep due to excruciating pain. I fight to find the little sleep that I can get. I can’t walk for a long time, I can’t sit in one position for a long time. When I lie down, I can’t easily turn around. I easily get tired during the day and I have stopped thinking of what to do with my future because every time I get to have ideas, I think of my problem and I get depressed,” he says while fighting back tears.
Muteka, who completed Grade 12 at David Livingstone High School in 2008, says he is so depressed that he has even given up on his dream of becoming a scientist.
His mother Joyce Mukena Muteka says she never imagined that what looked like a mere “birthmark” on her son’s leg would turn out to be the nightmare that it is today.
“My son was born in 1987, he is a twin. I have two sets of twins. In all I have six children after I lost the seventh in 2004. When he Robiana was born, he had a birthmark on his right side down to the right knee. I did not realise that this was ever going to be a major medical problem later in his life. However, at the age of five, every time I bathed him, I noticed that he was in pain and a year later at age six, I decided to seek medical attention here at Dambwa Clinic and was referred to Livingstone General Hospital,” she says.
Joyce says at Livingstone General Hospital Dr Shafick, who has since gone into private practice, referred her to the University Teaching Hospital as her son had a medical condition known as spina bifida.
Joyce, who lost her husband when her last set of twins Robiana and Salvador were two years old, says the UTH refuted the spina bifida theory.
“The discharge slip from UTH stated that there was no need for surgical procedures due to non-presence of an open wound, and no medication was administered to my son upon discharge and as he grew, the problem also grew,” Joyce recalls.
She says when Robiana turned 15, she decided to take him to Zimbabwe for specialist treatment as well as education and while in Grade 9, he underwent a scan in that country.
“The doctors said there was nothing that could be done as it was too late. I have seen my son suffer from a small boy and I struggled to make sure that he at least gets his education and only God knows what He has kept for him and from his Grade 12 results he managed to get a full certificate despite getting his education under pain,” Joyce says.
She says last December while the world celebrated Christmas, her son’s problem worsened and he was in pain.
“You can’t see his hip, he can’t put on trousers or certain shirts, he can’t sleep and he is in pain when he stands. I have given up on the hospital issues as we are constantly being told that there is nothing that can be done and that we should seek prayer and hope for a miracle,” she said.
Joyce says that after Zimbabwe, she still tried to take her son back to
Livingstone General Hospital with the assistance of Sister Shearer of the Catholic Home Based Care but still she was told that nothing could be done.
She says the last time she took her son to hospital was in 2006, and medical personnel advised her to seek prayer.
“I retired in 2009 and I think due to noticing my predicament, the Ministry of Education merely did me a favour as I still had some few months before actual retirement.”
Joyce says her son’s condition is causing her constant high blood pressure which has left her almost deaf.
“My BP blood pressure is always high. It is a sad situation to see my son in this situation and I have hearing problems, so people and my own children have to shout for me to hear what they are saying,” Joyce says.
Dr Mzaza Nthele, who is Livingstone General Hospital head of clinical care and acting medical superintendent, says he would have wanted to see the boy but was out to Itezhi-Tezhi on duty.
“We have a Zambian-trained surgeon Dr Mathani. I would love him to see the boy so I will give him your number so that he can see him,” Dr Nthele said.
Meanwhile, Muteka’s appeal is for spiritual intervention and assistance to access specialist treatment abroad. He says his condition got worse last October when the pain and swelling started to grow and headed towards his thigh.
“Since I know that the first lady, Dr Christine Kaseba is a medical doctor, she must know specialist hospitals where I can be treated. Even people who pray should put me in their prayers as I know that it is not just money that is needed for my condition.”
The Post
Posted by
hmm
March 11, 2012 at 3:07 pm
sounds and looks like a wild case of elephantiasis
atm
March 11, 2012 at 3:23 pm
God have mercy. Amen
Christopher mbesuma
March 11, 2012 at 3:37 pm
PRESIDENT SATA ORDERS MINISTRY
OF HEALTH TO EVACUATE ROBIANA
MUTEKA LUSAKA, Sunday, March 11, 2012
– His Excellency Mr Michael
Chilufya Sata, President of the
Republic of Zambia, has directed
Ministry of Health permanent
secretary Dr Peter Mwaba to immediately evacuate 24 year-
old Robiana Muteka to the
University Teaching Hospital
(UTH) for specialist evaluation. The President says the Zambian
Government stands ready to
facilitate and fund Robiana’s
treatment abroad should the
medical experts at UTH
recommend. “As a parent it breaks my
heart to see a determined and
focussed child like Robiana going
through such excruciating pain
and misery due to a debilitating
medical condition,” President Sata says. “It’s for this reason that I
have instructed the Ministry of
Health through the permanent
secretary to show leadership
and promptly activate the
referral system to ensure that we do all we can to lend a hand
to the young man.”
BBC
March 11, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Great president of people will do that
Am happy with SATA’s response and doctors who are paid by Zambians should show what they leant.
Isaac
March 11, 2012 at 5:13 pm
I thank the president for that assistance. Govts ought to care the citizens. I am praying for the will of God to prevail in this situation. I fully understand how much pain the parent is going through as is the case with every loving parent. May God be with you. I thank the media also.
Jmc007
March 11, 2012 at 5:26 pm
It is gratifying if H.E has instructed immediate attention on the poor boy’s plight.This is how it should be, the government should not let it’s citizens suffer, when others are evacuated abroad for simple coughs! In God’s name I salute you Mr President, the boys problem began along time, but other people had no time to act the way you have,as they were busy plundering public resouces! God have mercy!
Mosquito
March 11, 2012 at 6:38 pm
So sad indeed, medication at that stage is too late, in mu own opinion, he must be taken to TB Joshua, the man of God performs miracles. The poor mum should just solicit for funds and travel to Nigeria, may be, with the power of God the guy may be healed. I pity him, may God help him in Jesus’ name Amen…
false man !
March 11, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Thank God de president has come to de aid of our bro !Let’s put him in prayers o de tym !amen
mwisho kaps
March 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm
GOD will lead in every situation. Lets pray for the young man
Ivy
March 11, 2012 at 9:41 pm
May the good Lord be with Robiana…. with God! all things are possible….
BWIX
March 11, 2012 at 9:56 pm
I feel bad..i have grown up with this guy but it never seemed serious since i left Zambia. God preserve and protect my friend. Will always be their for you man…
Uwakwamununga
March 11, 2012 at 11:31 pm
LESA WAMAKA, KWIMBA KATI KUSANSHA NA LESA.WALAPOLA MUNYINA.
boma Lawankhungu
March 11, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Thanks Mr President for that positive gesture that is whant we want from people that fear God. But my advice is that the young man should just go to SCOAN in Nigeria to meet with TB Joushua or the wise men of SCOAN. God has the answer> it is just a matter of minutes when God decides to lay His hands on that disheartening problem.
This means that the problem that the mother is facing would also be solved together with that of her beloved son.
May God the almighty give direction, courage and wisdom so that you move out of that problem soonest
shimaini
March 12, 2012 at 1:03 am
lord of Abraham av mercy on this dude
Judge Uko
March 12, 2012 at 2:13 am
The boy will come out strong. I can tell from the look in his eyes. He has a strong will to live and may our ancestral spirits help this boy.
Voltron
March 12, 2012 at 3:55 am
havent you livingstone people hed of mr kajila of chingola at life cathidral? amenshi balinga nobunga meaning if you cant aford reaching nigeria, just come to chingola and wil be healed instantly. may our might God bless you.
Etta
March 12, 2012 at 6:34 am
Lord you are the greatest physician, Lord as sinful as I’m my humble request is heal up his tumor lord. Take the pain away. Which ever Dr.performs surgery on him may you guide their hands let a miracle happen through these surgeons. We know lord and we do believe that you still perform miracles.
please send this Young Man somewhere,were
Dmx
March 12, 2012 at 8:06 am
A fraction of da money buried underground cud go a lng a way in alleviatn ths pain.lets shw kindnes pipo of zed.i wish i cud help
diana
March 12, 2012 at 8:35 am
lord help this rich soul.i love what the president stated.thank you mr president sir for comming through to our aid.God bless his mother as well for being stong and not ready to give up.stay blessed.
Charles Mudenda
March 12, 2012 at 8:53 am
May the almight god look with favour upon this young man. It is better to turn to god for a solution. Go to T B Josua if u can. It would make us all happy if u are healed.
Mude.
Chama Febie
March 12, 2012 at 9:15 am
You’ll be healed young man GOD doesn’t fail
Judge Uko
March 12, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Praise to our ancestral spirits for helping this boy
Sianga Mahalihali
March 12, 2012 at 4:08 pm
God heal da young man, God bless Mr Sata n God bless Zambia.
Uncle Rey
March 12, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Medical practice in Zambia,why do we honestly hv wait until da condition gets worse? If thoz joker call Drs had gvn critical attention 2 da young man the 1st tym he ws taken 2 them,am sure by now da underlying cause wud hv bn known.
I am
March 13, 2012 at 9:37 am
It’s so sad, only God knows and with him nothing is impossible. I speak healing on the young man in Jesus’ name, Amen.
mwila
March 13, 2012 at 9:52 am
B4 Any thing 2 do with operation they should take the gman to TB josua as soon as possible.
January Johns
March 13, 2012 at 10:01 am
God’s greatest secret is called mercy, and for sure God’s mercy is already at work through his faithful servants such as our republican president who has already shown mercy on the boy. With prayer everything is possible. Let us continue praying for the boy.
Felistus Mushinka
March 13, 2012 at 11:41 am
May the good Lord have mercy on this young man. I have confidence in him that he rescued Daniel from the hungry lion,he restored site to a blind man,he made Sarah to conceive in her old age,so many miracles to list up. God answer our prayer.
ba woods 2010
March 13, 2012 at 12:04 pm
may the almigthy god strengthen the mother to robiana and i wish him gods guidance. you wil be ok my bro .god never fails. thanx
katy
March 13, 2012 at 5:18 pm
sheeeeeeeeeeet!!!oh God help him!!!
Tears and Rain
March 14, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Jesus, Have mercy, No comments..
Tell the truth
March 14, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I am at loss for words, one thing is true. If you can wake up in a right frame of mind, free and in good health, then it does not matter what you have and do not. You have every reason to thank God.Dear lord, reveal yourself to the the world through my brother Robiana. This is so touching, Robiana is strongly spirited man. Its so moving, he acknowledges that his condition requires beyond fiancial help, PRAYER. Heal him Dad.Thank you Mr president for concern please send him to TB Joshua for specialist prayers if thats what it takes, A million thanks to the media and let this particular Journalist win the Journalist of the decade award.One wonders why others never reported this before.
Air Mukwa_
March 14, 2012 at 11:10 pm
mother’s love and caring has been demonstrated. thanks & praises go to the mom.
Namwi
March 15, 2012 at 8:31 am
@air Mukwa Its mother love that has given this boy more hope to live she has been there for him. Big up for mom. I know your son will be healed in jesus name, nothing is impossible with God.
kABOVA
March 15, 2012 at 11:10 am
Ba tumfweko please keep us posted on the progress of this dude. A great testimony is coming when he recovers. @ Namwi yes mothers love keeps him going. Nothing is impossible with God.
Wanyafye Tigers
March 15, 2012 at 3:36 pm
We all wish this young man the best of health after being attended to by medical personnel. Thanks to Post’s Lifestyle for bringing things like these to life and to pipo like Muvi TV and the rest. You are real heroes in some ways.
Nganda Bilonda
March 15, 2012 at 3:37 pm
I trust God will help him.Amen.
Air Mukwai_
March 15, 2012 at 7:05 pm
@ Namwi
the mom has been on his side thru out giving him hope, trust and faith. healing is entirely on him thru the love mom has.
viv
March 16, 2012 at 9:10 am
i know God will perform his miracles on Robinia
Janzel
March 16, 2012 at 9:57 am
Sad indeed to see innocent young and determined Robiana in such a condition. I pray Jehovah, God Almighty look into his pain and as a God who grants power EVEN BEYOND WHAT IS NORMAL will no doubt hear the pleas of the concerned Zambians especially the mother to the boy. MOSQUITO above, mind your thinking it shows that you are not a mother and have no love at all.
cobra
March 16, 2012 at 4:14 pm
God help us!
Chocho
March 21, 2012 at 12:19 pm
With Jesus all things are possible, u will be hiled, just have faith in him end continue being strong.
Miss right
March 28, 2012 at 2:44 pm
@JUDGE UKO honestly how can u believe in such ancestral u must be mad indeed…the only sollution to the boy is prayer God to intervine.for with God nothing shaill be imposible LUKE 1vs37
bridge
May 3, 2012 at 11:41 am
God help us!