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Laurel Murangaridzirayi, [email protected] 

A 24-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man is appealing for US$28 000 to enable him to undergo a heart surgery in India.

According to a medical report, Mr Nathan Matsikidze of Pumula East was diagnosed with mitral stenosis coupled with severe aortic regurgitation in 2017.

Mitral stenosis is the narrowing of the mitral valve, which is the heart valve that controls the flow of blood from the heart’s left atrium to the left ventricle while aortic regurgitation is a condition that occurs when your heart’s aortic valve doesn’t close tightly. As a result, some of the blood pumped out of your heart’s main pumping chamber (left ventricle) leaks backward.

In a letter, his doctor, Dr Tadiwanashe Kamuzonde said the patient needs surgery to replace affected valves.

“May you kindly assist the above named who we were managing at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a heart condition. He has mitral stenosis with severe aortic regurgitation.

“He is in need of surgery to replace the affected valves in India at estimated cost of US$ 28 000. The procedure will involve mitral and aortic valve replacement. Please assist him to the best of your ability,” he wrote.

In an interview Nathan’s brother, Mr Lovemore Matsikidze (33) said they are appealing for help for his sibling to regain the lively and outgoing character he was six years ago.

“My brother was diagnosed with mitral stenosis with severe aortic regurgitation in 2017. The doctors only discovered this year that some of his valves were not working,” he said.

 “I lost my job last year in November and I have been working as an agent for a funeral insurance company and the commission I get is very low which makes it impossible to survive and at the same time buy Nathan’s medicine which is very costly.” 

Mr Matsikidze who has acted as his brother’s main caregiver said he will accompany him to India and the money sought will also cover his journey and upkeep there.

 “I’m appealing to members of the public for some donations to fund me and my brother for a trip to India for medical purposes. He has heart problems and needs medical assistance urgently,” said Mr Matsikidze.

He said all well-wishers can contact him on 0774 586 960.