He feeds by a tube through his stomach

May 22, 2011

LIKE any other child, Joachim Kibirige looks healthy. In fact, he goes to Busy Bee Kindergarten in Buseka, Kampala. But when his father tells Kibirige’s story, it is saddening.

By Thomas Pere LIKE any other child, Joachim Kibirige looks healthy. In fact, he goes to Busy Bee Kindergarten in Buseka, Kampala. But when his father tells Kibirige’s story, it is saddening.

All was well until the day Kibirige drank caustic soda. As his dad emptied the drum where the caustic soda was stored, Kibirige heard the word ‘soda’ and thought it was the real soda. He secretly drunk the caustic soda and it burnt his oesophagus. This was in October 2008 when he was three years old.

“We took him to Mulago Hospital where he was treated, but the wounds left scars in the oesophagus, causing it to become narrow,” his father says.
Since then, he cannot eat through the mouth.

He had to be operated on at Mulago Hospital, and a feeding tube inserted in his stomach. “We inject mashed food into the tube using a 60ml syringe.”

Efforts to widen the oesophagus have been futile, so every year, the tube has to be changed. In addition, the area where the incision was made forms pus.

In 2009, Prof. Baluywa Wasswa of Makerere University Business School managed to identify a hospital in Chennai, India, where Kibirige could be treated. The cost of treatment is estimated at $12,000. So far, $6,000 has been collected, leaving a balance of $6,000. His operation was due April 28.

For any assistance, you can reach Kibirige’s parents on 0752-947962 (father) and 0752-321317 or 0773251063 (mother).

The account name is Joachim Kibirige and the account number is 012148438070 Stanbic Bank Katwe branch.

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