TWO teenage boys from Chigwadzira area in Chikombedzi, Masvingo province, reportedly died of HGT6 deficiency last month, a senior health official has said.
By Tatenda Chitagu
Masvingo provincial medical director Robert Mudyiradima said the two were among the five cases recorded since the beginning of this year.
“We have received the reports that two people died since the beginning of this year and we suspect it is HGT6 deficiency, though we are not so sure yet. However, everything is under control now as it is not an infectious disease,” Mudyiradima said.
HGT6 deficiency is a genetic disorder that affects teenagers mainly under the age of 14.
Its symptoms are similar to bilharzia where patients pass out blood-stained urine, but leads to death due to loss of blood. Villagers told NewsDay over the weekend that at first they suspected their children had bilharzia while others suspected witchcraft.
“We started observing young boys urinating blood and at first we thought it was bilharzia, but we took them to Chikombedzi District Hospital where we were told that it was this strange disease you are talking about,” a villager said.
“Many thought it was some act of witchcraft until doctors finally diagnosed the condition. However, some boys died as we could not afford to buy blood supplies for them.”
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A pint of blood at Chikombedzi District Hospital costs $165 which is far beyond the reach of many.
The villagers also claimed that the blood bank at the hospital was usually dry, leading to the unnecessary loss of lives.
