MEDICAL MIRACLE! . . . 25kg tumour removed from woman
A 39 YEAR-OLD woman from Headlands has undergone a successful operation to remove a 25 kilogramme abdominal tumour at Rusape General Hospital, marking one of the largest tumour removals ever performed at the district referral centre under the Second Republic.
The three hour procedure was led by Dr Elton Sengurayi, the hospital’s only specialist surgeon, assisted by a team of general practitioners, nurses, anaesthetists, and support staff.
This milestone comes as the Government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, continues strengthening health delivery across districts and provinces, while decentralising services to ensure communities have access to advanced care.
The patient, Ms Chipo Ware, a farm worker, had lived with the tumour for three years.
She was admitted after experiencing severe abdominal pain and swelling, with diagnostic imaging revealing a massive growth occupying much of her abdomen. The condition had robbed her of mobility, dignity, and hope of returning to normal life.
Despite seeking help at several major referral hospitals, Ms Ware was unable to afford treatment.
Out of desperation, she also turned to traditional healers and prophets, but without success.
Rusape General Hospital eventually took her in and performed the surgery without demanding upfront payment.
At the time of reporting, her hospital bill stood at US$851, with additional funds required for pathological tests to be conducted elsewhere.
Fellow patients in her ward contributed cash and shared medication to support her recovery. Dr Sengurayi, the hospital’s consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, described the operation as high risk due to the tumour’s attachment to the uterus, bowels, and liver, which posed significant chances of severe bleeding.
“It was a delicate undertaking, but we had to proceed,” he said.
“This lady came here last week with a swollen abdomen, a condition she had endured for over three years. She struggled to walk and had visited several hospitals without success.
“A scan revealed extensive fluid in the abdomen, and we decided to take her to theatre. Unfortunately, she had very little blood in her system, so we requested five units—three administered before surgery and two during the procedure,” explained Dr Sengurayi.
The operation, conducted on February 11, 2026, began at 11am and lasted three hours.
“It was a long and difficult procedure, but with the help of the team we managed to remove the tumour. It was stuck to the uterus, womb, bowels, and extended up to the liver. That made it extremely risky, as the liver area can bleed heavily,” he said.
Dr Sengurayi revealed that the mass contained about 15 000ml of fluid and weighed around 25kg, possibly more due to spillage during removal.
He noted that the next stage involves sending the tumour for pathological examination to determine its nature.
“We expect recovery, but we do not yet know whether the tumour is cancerous or non cancerous. Laboratory tests are essential, and we appeal to the community to assist with funds for these examinations,” he said.
Reflecting on the hospital’s growing role, Dr Sengurayi added: “When I was deployed here, demand for services was low. Now people know there is a gynaecologist and that the hospital can handle complex operations. Numbers are rising and demand is high.”
The patient, Ms Chipo Ware of Malbrough Farm in Headlands, expressed gratitude after the successful surgery.
“My stomach had grown abnormally for three years, spreading to my legs which also swelled. I sought help from hospitals, traditional healers, and prophets, but nothing worked. Some even claimed I was bewitched. I had given up hope,” she said.
A mother of two, Ms Ware admitted she feared the operation would fail.
“I thought I would die. But during the surgery I felt no pain. When I woke up, I thought they had not operated until I touched my womb and realised the tumour was gone. I am so grateful.”
One of the nurses attending to Ms Chipo Ware, Sister Francisca Mukwewa, said her plight deeply moved both staff and fellow patients, prompting them to donate medicines and toiletries.
“The patient came here with a very large abdomen, almost as if she was pregnant. Before the operation she had no resources, and we are grateful that some patients stepped in to help. One patient even gave her US$20 for theatre medication, and others continue to support her. When she returned from theatre, we were relieved and happy that the operation was successful. During the procedure, which took long, we were anxious, but now she is in a good state. Since admission she has only been visited once by her daughter, and her relatives could not afford to come. We tried to reach out for assistance, but they had no money,” said Sister Mukwewa.
Sister Trader Chitsaka, who heads the theatre unit, described the operation as a milestone for the hospital.
“It was our first time assisting a patient with such complications. The procedure took more than three hours. This is a landmark achievement for our staff and the hospital as a whole, proving that we are now ready for major surgeries and able to handle delicate cases,” she said.
Among the patients who contributed was Mrs Priscilla Muhla, who said Ms Ware’s condition was the most severe in the ward.
“I am on bed 12 and she is on 11. We spoke, and she told me she had lived like this for three years, relying on her daughter’s farm wages which were not enough for medical care. Her situation was heart-breaking. Many doubted the operation would succeed, but we were all overjoyed to see her return safely. She is improving well, and I felt compelled to assist since she had no medicine,” she said.
Rusape General Hospital medical superintendent, Dr Stewart Karembo, said the institution was “on cloud nine” after the successful surgery, noting that gynaecology services are increasingly attracting patients from beyond the district.
“We have seen rising demand for gynaecology services since Dr Sengurayi joined us. The community is benefiting greatly. The tumour case was the most complex, but we have also successfully performed abdominal hysterectomies, fibroid removals, and procedures addressing infertility,” he said.
Following the successful removal of a 25kg abdominal tumour, Rusape General Hospital has underscored the urgent need for an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and additional specialist staff to meet growing demand.
“Now, with the advent of these major surgeries, we need an ICU because, after theatre, some patients require specialised care which we currently do not have. This is a new service we want so that the doctor can continue his work and deliver the same good results,” said medical superintendent, Dr Stewart Karembo.
He stressed that the hospital urgently requires physicians, paediatricians, and specialist anaesthetists, among others, to cater for the rising patient load. An ICU, he added, would help minimise transfers to Mutare or Harare.
“This hospital serves 60 clinics from Makoni District, as well as referrals from Nyanga, Mutasa, Wedza, and Murehwa. Some patients even come from Harare for services here. We used to send many gynaecology patients to Mutare, including those requiring repeat caesarean sections, but now they are being operated on here. This is a huge benefit to the community,” said Dr Karembo.
He noted that, beyond gynaecology, the hospital urgently needs more specialist doctors in other areas.
“We are located along the busy Harare Mutare Highway and other routes such as Nyazura Chivhu, Rusape Nyanga, and Rusape Goto. We regularly attend to accident victims and trauma cases, which require orthopaedic surgeons. We also need physicians, paediatricians, and specialist anaesthetists. At the moment, we only have nurses trained in anaesthesia,” he explained.
For those willing to assist Ms Chipo Ware with her hospital bill and funds for further pathological tests, Rusape General Hospital Public Relations Officer, Ms Margret Muchemwa, can be contacted on 0773845803 for the hospital’s banking details.
