INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

Hamza Ahmed, 10, with his parents, Altaf and Farhana Ahmed, at their home in Athlone. Photo: Courtney Africa

For nine years Hamza Ahmed, 10, of Athlone depended on a tracheotomy – a hole in the throat – to help him breathe.

Born with dwarfism and mid-facial hypoplasia, Hamza had a severe upper airway obstruction that made it hard for him to breathe and sleep.

But today he is leading a normal life thanks to the Smile Foundation and Red Cross Children’s Hospital, which made it possible for him to have facial reconstruction surgery to correct his condition.

Following multiple operations, last month he was finally weaned off the breathing devices.

Dr Anita Parbhoo, who treated Hamza, said he and his parents had been through a tough journey.

“It is very rewarding to see that all the efforts put in by all the staff at the hospital have paid off to make such a difference in Hamza’s quality of life,” she said.

“Our ongoing partnership with the Smile Foundation has enabled this young boy to look forward to a brighter, more carefree future.”

In August 2010, the Cape Argus reported how Hamza’s face had been reconstructed to allow normal breathing. The eight-hour operation saw bones cut into pieces to allow his face to move forward.

In 2003, when he was two, his breathing difficulties caused his heart to fail. He was admitted to intensive care, where a tracheotomy was done.

“My husband and I had sleepless nights for about two years. Hamza never slept well at night and struggled to breathe.

“He constantly had chest infections,” his mother, Farhana Ahmed said.

After years of intervention, which saw Hamza getting a home ventilator, his struggles have finally come to a happy end, and last month he returned to Vista Nova School.

“The receptionist, teachers and everyone started clapping. Everyone was congratulating him and kept telling him that they were proud of him,” said Ahmed. - Cape Argus

sipokazi.fokazi@inl.co.za