Toddler surgery survivor dies in East Timor

An East Timorese toddler who survived surgery to remove a tumour weighing nearly a third of his body weight at Wellington Hospital last year has died.

Alex Gonzaga died after a bout of dysentery on February 4 after returning home from New Zealand, the Dominion Post reported today.

The 17-month-old had been treated at Dili Hospital several days before, but doctors said he would get better and he was discharged.

When Alex' condition worsened his family took him to a witchdoctor for help. He died three hours later.

Alex's death is not believed to be related to the 3.3-kilogram benign tumour cut from his 11kg frame.

The paediatric surgeon who led Alex' surgical team in October said he was sad to hear of the boy's death.

"This is a consequence of the country and the standard of care that's available for kids who get sick."

- NZPA