07/06/2026
A NEW GRIP ON LIFE: ZFDS RESTORES INDEPENDENCE TO MAN IN IKELENGE ⭐️
A surgical team from the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) in Ikelenge District, North-Western Province, has successfully performed a life-changing procedure on a 65-year-old man from the Kalene area, restoring his ability to carry out basic daily tasks after five years of living with a debilitating hand condition.
The patient had been suffering from Dupuytren’s contracture affecting both hands, a progressive condition in which tissue beneath the skin of the palm thickens and tightens, causing the fingers to curl inward and become permanently bent. In his case, the condition is believed to have developed due to a combination of factors, including age, elevated fat deposits in the tissues, and a history of excessive alcohol consumption.
For five years, the condition severely impacted his quality of life. Unable to straighten his fingers, he struggled to perform even the simplest daily activities, including feeding himself, and became dependent on others for care.
His circumstances changed when the Zambia Flying Doctor Service surgical team, stationed at Kalene Mission Hospital, intervened. Dr. Kelly Makonko, a General Surgeon with the ZFDS team, successfully performed a surgical release of the contracted fingers on the patient’s dominant hand. The procedure involved carefully dividing the thickened tissue bands that had restricted movement, allowing the fingers to extend freely once again.
“I am happy. Now I will be able to do things on my own,” the patient said following the surgery at Kalene Mission Hospital.
The operation was supported by a dedicated theatre team comprising Anaesthetist Mr. Kalaba Sapalo, Theatre Nurse Raphael Makosa, and Porter Agness Kasota, who all played vital roles in ensuring the procedure’s success.
ZFDS continues to bring specialist surgical care to remote and underserved communities across Zambia, providing access to essential services that would otherwise be unavailable.
The team’s work at Kalene Mission Hospital is a testament to the transformative impact of skilled and compassionate healthcare, restoring not only physical function but also dignity and independence to those in need.
