Mabedi undergoes successful surgery

Actor Eric Mabedi has successfully undergone a kidney transplant, four weeks after leaving Malawi for the treatment in India.

Friends of Mabedi spokesperson Higger Mkandawire confirmed the development in an interview. He said the surgery was carried out on Saturday.

“Both him and the donorare fine. The donor will go for review after five days, but Eric remains ondoctor’s observation at the hospital,” said Mkandawire.

Speaking from India four days before the surgery, Mabedi said he was ready for the theatre, having passed all tests, including anaesthesia.

He said: “I am grateful for the support I am receiving here from Malawians who are led by the Malawian High Commissioner to India George Mkondiwa.”

Ministry of Health (MoH) spokesperson Joshua Malango said he was yet to get an official report regarding the status of the client.

Mabedi’s wife Fannie told The Nation that the actor was doing much better but was still waiting for doctors’ advice on the way forward.

“We will know when we are leaving the hospital tomorrow [today],” she said.

 The actor has battled with diabetes since 1996 and he has been living on insulin self-injection treatment ever since.

It was only recently that doctors at Mwaiwathu Hospital recommended a transplant after noting his kidney could no longer function effectively.

After he sounded an SOS to raise funds for his travel to India, government through the MoH stepped in to help the revered actor by shouldering all his travel expenses, including that of his guardian and donor.

Mabedi is one of the founding members of  Kwathu Drama Group and he is also president of the National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam).

Recently, President Peter Mutharika appointed him Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) board chair.