A Walvis Bay mother is appealing for assistance to help her teenage son access ongoing psychiatric treatment as he continues to struggle with the emotional effects of childhood cancer.
*Tuhafeni Shikongo says her son, *Tangi (13), was diagnosed with eye cancer as a young child, resulting in the removal of his eye and optic nerve.
Although the cancer was successfully treated, she says the family’s challenges did not end there.
Today, Tangi requires continued psychological care after being diagnosed with conduct disorder, a behavioural and mental health condition that affects children and teenagers.
Shikongo says obtaining the necessary treatment has become increasingly difficult because Walvis Bay does not have a mental health facility capable of providing the specialised care her son needs.
“Currently he is facing mental problems due to the trauma, and we are facing the fact that Walvis Bay has no mental health facility. The only psychiatrist available for my son is in Windhoek,” she says.
The situation has placed significant financial pressure on the family, particularly following the death of Tangi’s father three years ago.
Shikongo, who is unemployed and raising four children, says frequent trips to Windhoek for psychiatric consultations require transport, accommodation and other expenses the family struggles to afford.
“We have to travel to Windhoek for sessions and stay for up to two weeks, which requires accommodation and other expenses,” she says.
In addition to psychiatric treatment, the family continues to manage the long-term costs associated with Tangi’s prosthetic eye.
The family first sought public support more than a decade ago when Tangi needed his first prosthetic eye after losing his eye to cancer.
Shikongo says children who lose an eye at a young age require replacement prosthetic eyes every two to three years as they grow.
Last year, public donations enabled Tangi to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, where he received a new prosthetic eye fitted by ocularist Vida Trumpelmann.
The prosthesis cost N$38 000 and was paid for through a donation from Bonlife in Windhoek.
Despite the support received over the years, Shikongo says the family’s journey remains difficult.
Tangi is expected to return to Cape Town later this year for a follow-up consultation relating to his prosthetic eye.
“The journey is tough because many people do not understand the expenses we face,” his mom says.
CONDUCT DISORDER
Clinical psychologist Caesaria Mutau says conduct disorder is characterised by a persistent pattern of behaviour that violates social rules and the rights of others.
Common signs include aggression, bullying, fighting, lying, stealing, vandalism, truancy and other serious rule-breaking behaviour.
She says the condition is more severe than typical teenage misconduct and can have a significant impact on a young person’s education, relationships and overall functioning.
According to Mutau, conduct disorder is often linked to a combination of biological, psychological, family and environmental factors.
She says early identification and intervention are important to improve outcomes and reduce the risk of future social, legal and mental health difficulties.
Mutau also emphasises the role of parents and caregivers in treatment.
“Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in treatment, parenting programmes and support interventions.
Family involvement is often a key component of successful management, as it helps create consistent boundaries, improve communication, strengthen positive behaviour and provide the emotional support necessary for the young person’s development and recovery,” she says.
*Names have been changed to protect the teenager’s identity.
