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Bedridden Masvingo woman seeks US$1 830 for scans and tests MASVINGO – A Masvingo tailor who is bedridden following a serious spinal cord injury is appealing for US$1 830 to undergo medical scans and tests in Harare. Sibongile Tatenda Kakono sustained the injury on December 9, 2022, after falling at work and hitting her back against an iron bar. She suffered a prolapsed disc, pelvic trauma and recurring back pain. Kakono, who was the breadwinner for her three children aged between seven and 16, is now carried around the house on a stretched blanket as her condition continues to deteriorate. She has undergone various treatments, including physiotherapy and herbal remedies, but continues to experience leg weakness, pain, numbness and seizures. Quotations from MRI + Radiology Centre and Lancet Laboratories dated October 30, 2026 show that she needs US$1 830 for further investigations. The amount covers a lumbar spine MRI costing US$1 210, a pelvic MRI costing US$600 and a urine MCS test costing US$20. The scans will be conducted at MRI + Radiology Centre, 88 Josiah Chinamano Avenue, Harare, while the laboratory tests will be done at Lancet Laboratories. She also needs suitable transport, preferably an ambulance or a vehicle capable of accommodating her stretcher bed. Her 13-year-old daughter, Atidaishe Kausiyo, who attends Victoria High School, said she wished her mother could receive assistance. "My mother was injured when I was 9 years old and now I am 13. It pains me seeing her in pain. We survive through the support of well-wishers. "I was incorporated into the BEAM programme this year and before that, Sternley Kondongwe of Byword Motors had been paying my school fees and providing me with uniforms. "My brother was also enrolled under BEAM after accumulating substantial school fee arrears. My sister's school fees are partly covered by the Solomon Foundation, although she still has outstanding arrears. "We struggle to pay rent and usually give our landlord whatever little we can afford. Fortunately, the landlord has come to understand our difficult circumstances and has been patient with us. "We are currently not living with our father. Our mother is also frequently in and out of hospital, making our situation even more difficult," said Atidaishe. Well-wishers who wish to assist can contact Kakono on 0784643714, Rutendo Casey Bitonor on 0778604480 or the Masvingo Mirror Helpline on 0716895703 or 0775036812. masvingomirror.com/bedridden… @MoHCCZim @UNITAID @UnionZimTrust @znnpinfo @inerelazim @cathymwauyakufa @AusEmbZim @cns_health @JointedHands @UNFPA_Zimbabwe @HCYF2020 @USEmbZim @InfoMinZW @daddyhope @WHO_Zimbabwe @WHO @MadzimaDr @healthtimeszim @WagZimbabwe @WACIHealth @MSF_USA @CR_UK @theNCI