Amara (4) ready to ‘fly’ after successful heart operation

A young resident from the north of Pretoria is recovering after intricate cardiac surgery to repair a hole in her heart.

Four-year-old Amara Ngwenya from Montana has big ambitions even though she is physically small for her age. Her growth was stunted by a serious heart condition. “I want to be a fairy when I grow up.

A fairy who uses her magic to make other children fairies, so that they can help others too,” said Amara, who is recovering at home. She is gaining strength and raring to go and play, just days after undergoing the operation. She underwent an operation to repair a heart defect at the Maboneng Heart Institute at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg.

Amara is the latest beneficiary of the Heart-to-Heart campaign, a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) match funding challenge to raise resources for lifesaving operations for children suffering life-threatening heart conditions. The heart surgery was covered by donations from Medipost Holdings and the Netcare Foundation, which is the CSI arm of the Netcare group.

“Two years ago, Amara developed a fever and was so ill that she had to be admitted to Steve Biko academic hospital, the same hospital she was born in, for about two weeks. The doctors diagnosed rheumatic fever, and found that her heart was beating abnormally,” said her mother, Runel Ngwenya. “After that, Amara wasn’t eating or growing normally like other kids.

I would have to find ways to persuade her to eat and try to tempt her appetite with her favourite foods: potatoes and porridge. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Erich Schürmann said, “Amara, who was referred to us from Steve Biko academic hospital by interventional paediatric cardiologist Prof Lindy Mitchell, had an atrial septal defect.

Also referred to as a hole between the two upper chambers of her heart, which required a specialised procedure to correct.” He is of the Maboneng Heart and Lung Institute at Netcare Sunninghill hospital where the operation was performed. “As parents, we have been so worried about our daughter’s health, especially because we are both unemployed and cannot afford medical aid.

We couldn’t believe it when we heard that Medipost Holdings and the Netcare Foundation would cover the costs of the operation, it was like a fairy tale coming true,” Runel said. “If untreated, a hole in the septum the size Amara had, unfortunately, can be debilitating and even life-threatening.

As the child grows, the heart defect ultimately damages the arteries of the lungs. Fortunately, Amara’s procedure went smoothly, and was completed in three hours,” Schürmann explained.

“So far, indications are that the operation was a complete success and, while we will monitor her progress, we expect she will now be able to live a full and normal life. “We are delighted that Amara is recovering well after her operation. She has been incredibly brave, and children like her represent the future.

It has been our privilege to contribute funding for her procedure through Medipost Holdings’ corporate social investment,” said Rentia Myburgh, group sales and marketing director of Medipost Holdings. Medipost Holdings comprises Medipost Pharmacy, MediLogistics, Kawari Wholesaler and Distributor and the Medi Training Academy.

Runel said that the family are immensely relieved that Amara is going from strength to strength since the operation. “Now, she has a real appetite. We are trying to keep her still for a few weeks while she recovers, and because she already feels better Amara wants to play like a healthy child,” she said. “Amara doesn’t walk in the house, she always wants to run.

And, as you know, she wants to be a fairy when she grows up, and she has even developed her own method of ‘flying’. “The sky is the limit, as far as Amara is concerned. Now that she had her operation there are no limits to what she can do and achieve,” her proud mother said. “We thank God for the many people and organisations that have helped our daughter. We are astonished at this generosity, and we feel very blessed.”

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram