From Near Death to Doctor: Blessing Zingwena’s Jou...

From Near Death to Doctor: Blessing Zingwena’s Journey of Survival and Purpose

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

“Well, I was very young when all this happened. I guess all I know is what I was told and what I read from documents I came across growing up,” said Blessing Vimbai Zingwena, a Zimbabwean doctor whose remarkable life journey is living proof that miracles do happen — and that hope is always worth holding onto.

Today, Zingwena is not just surviving — she is thriving. But her life began with a silent battle that nearly ended it before it truly started.

“My understanding is that there were no issues when I was born, but during my infant check-ups, it was noted that I was lagging behind in terms of growth and developmental milestones,” she explained.

“That, coupled with recurrent bouts of pneumonia that kept me in and out of hospitals, led the doctors to conduct further investigations. That’s when they discovered I had a congenital heart malformation — a ventricular septal defect — and that I needed corrective surgery.”

At the time, Zimbabwe lacked the capacity to perform such advanced procedures.

“In 2000, those surgeries were not being done locally, which meant I had to travel to countries like India or the USA,” she said. “That really devastated my parents, who were not financially equipped to fund the life-saving procedure abroad. My mom says she thought I was surely going to die.”

Then came a glimmer of hope — through the kindness of strangers.

“By the grace of God, my father was connected to the Rotary Club of Harare Central by a colleague at his workplace. The club was running a ‘Gift of Life’ programme, helping children with congenital heart diseases get a second chance,” she said. “They reviewed my case and decided to help. That brought joy to my parents, though they were still anxious about how the surgery would go.”

The Rotary Club of Harare, in partnership with Rotarians from Southampton, New York, and the Gift of Life programme, arranged for her surgery in the United States.

“They facilitated my corrective open-heart surgery at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York,” she said.

Zingwena travelled to the United States with her mother.

“We stayed in the home of lovely Rotarians who ensured we were comfortable. I’m even told that a fellow Zimbabwean based in the U.S. used to visit us often, which really helped us adapt to the new environment.”

Her mother was supported every step of the way — emotionally and practically.

“My mother says the medical team involved her in every decision and explained everything clearly. That made her feel reassured,” said Zingwena. “She says from the preoperative meetings to the day of the surgery, the doctors had built such trust that when I was finally taken in, she felt I would be okay.”

The surgery was a success.

“I can’t say much about how I felt since I was so young, but I’m told that after the operation, I began growing normally and started reaching the milestones I had previously missed,” she said.

“I don’t remember being sick. I just thought I was like any other child. But I do remember asking once why I had to go see a cardiologist when I wasn’t sick. That’s when my mom explained it to me, though it didn’t make sense at the time.”

Later, in Grade 4, she stumbled upon medical documents that put everything into perspective.

“That’s when it all began to make sense. But honestly, I remember having a normal childhood. The surgery gave me the life that most people thought I’d never have. It truly was a gift of life.”

That gift led her to pursue a career in medicine — to pay it forward.

“This whole experience taught me to appreciate life and the little things. I know there are kids who didn’t get the same chance I did,” she said. “Knowing I could have died before ever experiencing life inspired me to become someone who can give that same chance to others.”

As a doctor today, she carries her experience into every patient interaction.

“Having been on the other side, I understand patients’ fears. I try to listen more and address those fears with empathy and care.”

To anyone facing difficulties, her message is simple but powerful:

“There may be rough patches along the road, but there’s light at the end. Don’t give up. Just keep fighting.”

And to her fellow and future health professionals, she offered heartfelt praise.

“You may not realise it, but you are real heroes and heroines,” she said. “Sometimes, you are the only thing standing between whether someone makes it or not. If it weren’t for the dedicated work of medical professionals, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I might not even be here.”

“To all the future doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers — be proud of who you are and who you’re becoming,” she added. “The road is tough, but we endure it knowing the returns are immeasurable.”