By Burnett Munthali

Queens Hospital in Blantyre has reported a concerning rise in cases of hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain, among infants under six months of age. According to Loney Kanyemba, the head nurse at the hospital, the increase is evident in recent patient numbers; on Saturday, out of 38 infants in one ward, 20 were diagnosed with the condition.

Kanyemba shared these insights while addressing a group of students from Great Destiny ICT School who had visited the hospital to donate gifts to the children affected by the condition. She emphasized that the incidence and mortality rates of hydrocephalus in infants could be reduced through a combination of timely checkups, balanced nutrition, and adherence to prescribed treatments.

Julius Jere, the head of Great Destiny ICT School, stated that the students felt it was a worthwhile initiative to support the children at the hospital, acknowledging the challenges these young patients and their families face.

One of the visiting students, Iradukunda Desire from Chichiri campus, expressed her intention to share the advice from Nurse Kanyemba with mothers in her community, hoping to raise awareness on preventive measures and the importance of early treatment.