R.I.P The boy Dikembe Mutombo flew to the U.S dies
Basketball
By
Odero Charles
| Dec 22, 2018
An eight-year-old boy whom NBA great Dikembe Mutombo flew to the United States from Congo has died.
Dikembe Mutombo’s Foundation announced on Saturday that Matadi Sela Petit died after he suffered a ‘rare and unpredictable genetic reaction to anaesthesia’ during surgery.
“We are devastated by the loss of Matadi and our heart goes out to his father, his mother and the rest of his family, and all his old and new friends,” the foundation said in a release.
Matadi was transferred to the ICU after he went into cardiac arrest during his surgery. But despite best efforts, medical staff – led by Dr. Ryan Osborne – he was never able to recover, according to TMZ.
"During the delicate surgery, Matadi suffered a rare and unpredictable genetic reaction to anesthesia," the foundation wrote in a statement posted on Mutombo's Instagram page. "Despite the diligent efforts of his medical caregivers, Matadi did not recover and he passed away last night."
Dr. Ryan Osborne volunteered his services, after being inspired by the good work of Mutumbo.
The NBA Hall of Famer was compelled to act after meeting the boy and his parents in September at a hospital he had built in his native Congo.
Mutombo’s foundation says Matadi “was a pioneer, and his memory will inspire us to continue to develop efforts and partnerships to improve the lives of the children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
Matadi Sela Petit arrived in Los Angeles with his father on December 12th to undergo surgery to remove the growth from his face.
Our thoughts go out to his family at this truly difficult time.