Doctor To Establish Acid Centre

Feb 27, 2003

A Mulago Hospital surgeon is giving a new lease on life to acid attack victims.

By Lillian Nalumansi
A Mulago Hospital surgeon is giving a new lease on life to acid attack victims.
Dr. Ben Khingi, a surgeon at Mulago Hospital's Burns and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, told The New Vision in an interview that the Acid survivors Foundation will be operational by May.
The major benefits the victims will derive from the foundation to be established in Namuwongo, are affordable medical treatment, counselling and temporary shelter for the time they are shunned by society.
“It is a pathetic situation when someone injures another in a cowardly way because they cannot confront them. It costs just sh2,000 to buy a litre of acid, yet over sh2m is needed for treatment. Most of the victims do not have this money,” Khingi said at his private clinic, Friends Family Centre in Namuwongo.
He said acid attacks had become rampant because of the unrestricted sale of sulphuric acid and the weak laws that let perpetrators off with soft sentences.
“These days people can buy acid from anywhere including garages, supermarkets and petrol stations without restriction,” Khingi said.
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