Zambia continues to make strides in advanced medical care, with brain tumours and other complex central nervous system diseases increasingly being diagnosed and treated across the country. This progress is attributed to improved diagnostic equipment, a skilled medical workforce, and expanded health coverage.
Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital remains at the forefront of handling these complicated cases, recently demonstrating its expertise by successfully performing a craniotomy and tumour resection. The procedure was led by consultant neurosurgeon Dr. Lubasi Manyando and his team.
Complex Surgery with a Positive Outcome
The operation was performed on a 71-year-old patient from Kasama who had been suffering from a massive brain tumour weighing approximately 200 grams. The tumour’s critical location had caused severe symptoms, including weakness in the right limbs, headaches, seizures, and intermittent loss of consciousness.
Dr. Manyando explained that the only definitive treatment for such a case was complete surgical removal of the tumour. However, given its proximity to vital brain structures, including the motor cortex and major blood vessels, the procedure required extreme precision to avoid fatal complications.
Despite these challenges, the neurosurgical team successfully removed the tumour in its entirety with minimal bleeding. Remarkably, the patient was extubated within the first hour after surgery in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Within a day, he was transferred to a general ward, where he continues to recover. His limb weakness has significantly improved, and he no longer experiences headaches or seizures.
Medical Expertise and Teamwork
The surgery, which took between five and six hours, was conducted by a dedicated team of professionals. The surgical team included:
- Dr. Lubasi Manyando – Consultant Neurosurgeon
- Dr. Ndjobvu and Dr. Kabwe – Assistant Neurosurgery Registrars
- Dr. Marina, Mr. Patrick Musonda, and Luyando – Anaesthesia Team
- Sr. Lydia Phiri – Anaesthesia Support
- Given Mulamba, Sr. Sinai, Joyce, and Omar – Scrub Nursing Team
Advancing Zambia’s Health Sector
With the continued investment in modern high-tech medical equipment and infrastructure, Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital expects to achieve even better surgical outcomes, reducing theatre time and speeding up patient recovery.
Additionally, the availability of such advanced medical procedures in Zambia significantly cuts down the costs associated with sending patients abroad for treatment. The estimated cost of a similar brain tumour surgery abroad is approximately $10,000 (about K280,000), highlighting the economic benefits of local medical advancements.
The surgical team expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and hospital management for their continued support in ensuring access to the necessary infrastructure, equipment, trained personnel, and medical supplies. These factors are instrumental in strengthening Zambia’s healthcare system, reinforcing the principle that a healthy nation is a productive nation.