Ignorance and poor education sometimes bring tragedy. Like the mother in prolong labour for more than 2 days that gave to a stillbirth, girl with deformed left elbow that the witch doctor offered cure that turn out she need to loss her hand and forearm.

© Ryan KO

Recently, we have a 2 year boy with deep burn in the chest involving a wide area. If healed by itself, it would take three to six months with lots of scarring; and in that period there is always the risk of infection, extra use of energy due to the extensive wound so that he may end up malnourished. The best way is a skin graft, that would stop the scarring, infection and extra energy requirement within a week if done successfully. We are lucky to be able to provide the treatment which has already treated quite a number of kids like that. But the sad story is when I discussed with the family about this offer when the wound is healthy and ready for skin graft they refused. Worrying that the donor site is a second wound that’s difficult to heal, but the real fact is the donor site usually healed in less than two weeks. And even worse the medical assistance told me that they “escape” when I want to see him next morning. In situation like that our guess is they would seek help from local doctors or witch doctors and most likely the kid will return later with a nasty infected and scarring wound or may even wasted. Similarly, we have a boy with infected right eyelid that destroyed the skin covering the eyelid. If leave to heal by itself that would mean a scarred eyelid which end up he may not be able to close his eye. So skin graft is again the best treatment option but again his father refused despite repeated explanation. I am sorry for their ignorance that lead to tragedy to their kids but that’s life in South Sudan!
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