Burdekin Baby Makes Townsville Medical History

By Jacob Casha

If there was ever a story to illustrate the essence of the Burdekin, it’s four-month-old Zaleyah Codega’s—in more ways than one.

It was on Christmas Eve that Burdekin locals Kris and Natalie Codega learned during a routine 30-week scan that their unborn baby had congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)—a rare, life-threatening condition that restricts lung development.

“Once we found out, we were sort of left to our own devices to do a bit of research, and to be honest, it was the worst thing I ever did. It didn’t give us as good odds as we hoped,” said Kris.

The news hit hard, and the timing couldn’t have been worse.

“It definitely added stress to the already busy holiday period,” Kris said. “We tried to keep things as normal as we could for our five-year-old, but it was definitely a stressful and pretty wild time for us.”

Amid the whirlwind of emotions and fluctuating optimism, Zaleyah’s chances of survival and recovery ultimately hinged on one thing—her strength. And soon enough, the Codegas discovered their baby was built Burdekin tough.

“We were told she might not breathe or make a noise on her own, but when she was born, she surprised everyone,” Kris said. “She made sounds and started breathing by herself—that was a huge relief. Luckily, she was a bloody superhero!”

Following the successful delivery, doctors suggested an option that would make little Zaleyah a medical milestone: the first keyhole surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) performed in Townsville. “They told us Zaleyah was a really good candidate because she was strong and stable,” Kris explained.

Initially, the idea of such a novel procedure was daunting for the Codegas, but after a successful surgery, the family was home with their little superhero within two and a half weeks.

It wasn’t an easy road, but in true Burdekin fashion, the strength and support surrounding Zaleyah and her family made all the difference.

“Here in the Burdekin, even if people didn’t know our exact situation, word gets around,” Kris said. “That Burdekin spirit—everyone was gunning for us. It made a huge difference.”

With family, friends, and neighbours rallying behind them, the Codegas never felt alone. “The community was constantly checking in with our families to see how we were going. Everyone was offering a hand if needed.”

For Kris, Natalie and their two daughters, the experience has only deepened their appreciation for the place they call home and the people who stood behind them. Zaleyah’s story is one of resilience, medical milestones, and true Burdekin strength—found both in her own fighting spirit and in the unwavering support of the community behind her.

Kris and Natalie Codega with their two daughters
Little Zaleyah was strong and resilient from the start
Zaleyah is now growing into a healthy, vibrant baby girl

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