BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE- A 43-year-old man from Bhunya is appealing to compassionate Emaswati to assist him financially as he battles a painful spinal condition that has left him unable to perform physical work and struggling to afford essential medication.
Sibusiso Mweli says his life changed dramatically after he developed severe back pain in 2021. Since then, he has undergone numerous medical examinations and specialist consultations, both locally and outside the country, in an effort to find relief from a condition that continues to affect his daily life.
Medical reports seen by this publication show that Mweli suffers from a number of spinal conditions affecting both his neck and lower back. These include lumbar spondylosis, cervical spondylosis, disc bulges and nerve compression in several areas of the spine.
What the Medical Findings Mean
While the medical terminology may be difficult for many people to understand, the conditions essentially affect the spine’s ability to function normally and can cause chronic pain, weakness and difficulty performing everyday activities.
According to MRI reports, Mweli suffers from lumbar spondylosis, which refers to age-related wear and tear affecting the lower back.
Doctors also found:
- L3-L4 disc bulge causing mild narrowing around nerves in the lower back.
- L4-L5 disc bulge causing mild to moderate narrowing around the nerves.
- L5-S1 central annular tears, where the outer layer of a spinal disc has developed tears.
- Loss of disc hydration, meaning the cushioning discs between the vertebrae are drying out and becoming less effective.
- Neuroforaminal narrowing, a condition where spaces through which nerves exit the spine become narrower, potentially causing pain, numbness and weakness.
MRI examinations of his neck further revealed cervical spondylosis, a degenerative condition affecting the cervical spine, as well as disc bulges at several levels of the neck.
Medical reports indicate that these abnormalities are capable of compressing nerves and contributing to persistent pain and discomfort.
Referred For Specialist Treatment
According to hospital records, Mweli first sought treatment at Mbabane Government Hospital after experiencing severe back pain that radiated into both legs.
Doctors documented spontaneous onset back pain and noted that he had previously undergone treatment for tuberculosis more than a decade earlier.
As his condition worsened, he was referred for specialist treatment outside Eswatini through the Phalala Fund.
Medical referral documents show that specialists recommended consultation with spinal surgeons after MRI scans revealed multiple abnormalities in both the cervical and lumbar spine.
Mweli has already travelled for treatment on three occasions through the Phalala Fund programme.
However, while transportation and consultations were covered through the referral programme, he says he continues to struggle to afford prescribed medication needed to manage his condition.
Living with Constant Pain
Speaking about his daily challenges, Mweli said the pain has become so severe that sleeping has become difficult.
“There are days when I barely sleep because of the pain. My body is always painful and I struggle to find a comfortable position,” he said.
He explained that he is no longer able to undertake physically demanding work because lifting even moderately heavy objects worsens his condition.
“I can no longer do the kind of work I used to do. I cannot lift heavy things anymore. Sometimes even carrying light items becomes difficult,” he said.
The condition eventually forced him to stop working, significantly affecting his ability to provide for himself and meet his medical needs. Right now, he says he is supposed to go to Nelspruit for an operation, probably this month.
Seeking Assistance
Mweli says he urgently requires approximately E1 500 to purchase medication prescribed by his doctors.
He is appealing to members of the public, businesses, churches and well-wishers who may be able to assist him during this difficult period.
Beyond financial assistance, he is also hopeful of securing light-duty employment that would accommodate his physical limitations.
“I am willing to work, but I need work that does not involve heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity,” he said.
Despite the challenges he faces, Mweli remains hopeful that treatment and support from the public will help improve his quality of life.
How to Help
Those wishing to assist Sibusiso Mweli may contact him directly on:
7907 6420 or 7658 5350
Banking details:
Eswatini Bank
Account Number: 77401856847
Any assistance, no matter how small, could help him obtain the medication he needs and ease the burden of living with a chronic spinal condition. The situation is so severe such that he even struggles to afford E20 to get pills to numb the pain. It is important that the situation gets the attention it deserves.
Editor’s note: The medical reports indicate degenerative spinal conditions and disc abnormalities affecting both the neck and lower back. While the patient believes the condition may have been linked to food poisoning, the medical documents provided do not appear to conclusively establish food poisoning as the cause. For accuracy and fairness, it may be best to present that aspect as the patient’s belief rather than as a medically confirmed finding.
