Amumpaire got care, how about the others?
Aug 16, 2005
<b>By Eliphaz Ssekabira</b><br><br>Seven-year-old Christine Amumpaire, Mbarara’s severely burnt child was discharged from Mulago Hospital on Monday, after two and half months of hospitalisation. She underwent a successful two-hour skin grafting operation. She is now a happy girl, capable of wa
By Eliphaz Ssekabira
Seven-year-old Christine Amumpaire, Mbarara’s severely burnt child was discharged from Mulago Hospital on Monday, after two and half months of hospitalisation. She underwent a successful two-hour skin grafting operation. She is now a happy girl, capable of walking which before the operation was next to a dream.
Amumpaire has been placed in Suubi Children’s village, a foster care home run by Watoto Children Ministry as her next settlement home.
Those of you who saw the malnourished, skeleton-like and lifeless Christine in the New Vision of May 30, 2005, may not believe that she has now recuperated and looking so much better. At the time of her discharge, Christine could easily walk all the steps from the Burns and Plastic Unit in ward 3B up to the sixth or first floor.
Amumpaire sustained severe burns on her left hip in September 2004 when her dress caught fire as she allegedly squatted in front of a fireplace.
Her guardian, Richard Begumisire of Lubiri, Nyamityobora in Mbarara Municipality, did not take her to hospital because he reportedly had no money. He only administered local herbs, which did not make the situation any better, the burnt part kept on rotting.
As the rot continued and chances of her survival dwindled, a good Samaritan alerted Mbarara Police. Amumpaire was then taken to Mbarara Hospital on May 18 where she stayed up to May 30. She was then referred to Mulago national Referral Hospital on May 31, 2005.
Amumpaire lost both her father, John Baryehuta and mother, Namatovu in 1997 and February 2005 respectively.
What disturbed me are why Amumpaire’s relatives could not accord her the much needed care, love and protection. Why did her uncle, Richard Begumisire fail to realise that his late brother’s kid needed a decent living?
Wasn’t he aware that she was entitled to the rights of every child as enshrined in the Children’s Act? These rights include education, immunisation, a balanced diet, clothing, shelter and, most importantly, healthcare.
What about the local council officials of Lubiri-Nyamityobora? Were they not aware that the Children’s Act mandates them to have removed her from Begumisire’s dangerous situation to a safer place?
By leaving the orphaned girl to rot for over seven months, the guardian committed an offence. Section 216 of the penal code act (cap 106) states that “Any person being charged with the duty of providing for another necessities of life without lawful exercise fails to do so, whereby the life of that person is or is likely to be endangered, or his health is or likely to be permanently injured, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for three years.†Over to you state prosecutor in Mbarara.
On June 21, 2005, a day before Amumpaire was operated on, a 48-year-old gentleman who claimed to be her uncle came to Mulago Hospital to attend to her. When I inquired for his identification documents, what he could produce was an NRM-O registration card which he had obtained a day before! He was Emmanuel Byakatonda of Lubiri cell, Nyamityobora ward, Kakoba Division in Mbarara Municipality. I sent him away for a recommendation letter from LCs which he has not produced till Christine was discharged.
I thank the nurses and staff of ward 3B for the motherly love to Amumpaire. Your efforts made her feel loved, protected and cared for.
The New Vision, Stanbic Bank, UWESO, Pride Micro Finance, and Watoto Children Ministry, other organisations and individuals are thanked for extending a helping hand to Christine.To the rest of the guardians, accord orphans a decent living. Today it is Amumpaire, tomorrow it may be your kid(s).
The writer is a Senior Public Relations Officer of Mulago Hospital
Seven-year-old Christine Amumpaire, Mbarara’s severely burnt child was discharged from Mulago Hospital on Monday, after two and half months of hospitalisation. She underwent a successful two-hour skin grafting operation. She is now a happy girl, capable of walking which before the operation was next to a dream.
Amumpaire has been placed in Suubi Children’s village, a foster care home run by Watoto Children Ministry as her next settlement home.
Those of you who saw the malnourished, skeleton-like and lifeless Christine in the New Vision of May 30, 2005, may not believe that she has now recuperated and looking so much better. At the time of her discharge, Christine could easily walk all the steps from the Burns and Plastic Unit in ward 3B up to the sixth or first floor.
Amumpaire sustained severe burns on her left hip in September 2004 when her dress caught fire as she allegedly squatted in front of a fireplace.
Her guardian, Richard Begumisire of Lubiri, Nyamityobora in Mbarara Municipality, did not take her to hospital because he reportedly had no money. He only administered local herbs, which did not make the situation any better, the burnt part kept on rotting.
As the rot continued and chances of her survival dwindled, a good Samaritan alerted Mbarara Police. Amumpaire was then taken to Mbarara Hospital on May 18 where she stayed up to May 30. She was then referred to Mulago national Referral Hospital on May 31, 2005.
Amumpaire lost both her father, John Baryehuta and mother, Namatovu in 1997 and February 2005 respectively.
What disturbed me are why Amumpaire’s relatives could not accord her the much needed care, love and protection. Why did her uncle, Richard Begumisire fail to realise that his late brother’s kid needed a decent living?
Wasn’t he aware that she was entitled to the rights of every child as enshrined in the Children’s Act? These rights include education, immunisation, a balanced diet, clothing, shelter and, most importantly, healthcare.
What about the local council officials of Lubiri-Nyamityobora? Were they not aware that the Children’s Act mandates them to have removed her from Begumisire’s dangerous situation to a safer place?
By leaving the orphaned girl to rot for over seven months, the guardian committed an offence. Section 216 of the penal code act (cap 106) states that “Any person being charged with the duty of providing for another necessities of life without lawful exercise fails to do so, whereby the life of that person is or is likely to be endangered, or his health is or likely to be permanently injured, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for three years.†Over to you state prosecutor in Mbarara.
On June 21, 2005, a day before Amumpaire was operated on, a 48-year-old gentleman who claimed to be her uncle came to Mulago Hospital to attend to her. When I inquired for his identification documents, what he could produce was an NRM-O registration card which he had obtained a day before! He was Emmanuel Byakatonda of Lubiri cell, Nyamityobora ward, Kakoba Division in Mbarara Municipality. I sent him away for a recommendation letter from LCs which he has not produced till Christine was discharged.
I thank the nurses and staff of ward 3B for the motherly love to Amumpaire. Your efforts made her feel loved, protected and cared for.
The New Vision, Stanbic Bank, UWESO, Pride Micro Finance, and Watoto Children Ministry, other organisations and individuals are thanked for extending a helping hand to Christine.To the rest of the guardians, accord orphans a decent living. Today it is Amumpaire, tomorrow it may be your kid(s).
The writer is a Senior Public Relations Officer of Mulago Hospital