Isatou, burned in an accident at home
Isatou is a young girl from the Gambia whose legs were badly burned in an accident in her home. With no facilities in her home country, she urgently required surgery only available at the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit in Ghana.
Isatou could have been helped but there was no money to pay for her transport and treatment that would have cost around £800. We received no further word about her but in all likelihood she will have lost the use of her legs and will have developed major knee, hip and back problems.
Money to treat such cases as Isatou is required as and when they are identified. This also exemplifies the need for continued funding of the charity to fulfil its role of helping spread reconstructive surgery services elsewhere in West Africa.
Open fires used for domestic cooking and in the marketplace are the cause of the tragically high numbers of severe burns cases in West Africa. Often the victims are children. Specialist treatment is required to prevent infections and ensure that the skin and tissue heals in such a way that limbs are still functional.
