Kyazike's classmates won't play with her
May 31, 2013
She walks about the school compound at Nabitende Primary School during break time all alone. As she approaches a group of other pupils, they quickly disperse, as if fleeing from an outcast.
Sunday Vision
At only six months, Brenda Kyazike developed a strange skin condition that has remained untreated because her father lacks money. George Bita brings you her story
She walks about the school compound at Nabitende Primary School during break time all alone. As she approaches a group of other pupils, they quickly disperse, as if fleeing from an outcast.
Seemingly unbothered, the young girl relocates to a tree at the end of the school compound to play all by herself. It is not any better inside her P1 classroom. She sits in an isolated corner at the back.
Brenda Kyazike’s woes are a result of a strange skin disease that has left her with big distinct black warts.
The lesions, mostly at the back of her head, are greyish protrusions with scanty hair that is difficult to shave.
The hair just above the forehead looks normal, but toward the back, it turns into unsightly ashy projections.
Justine Nairuba, Kyazike’s aunt, says the skin condition appeared in 2007, shortly after she made six months. Nairuba says it started with a small puffiness on the forehead, which then began duplicating itself throughout her head.
“They mysteriously vanished after two days, but then she started getting black pimples that when scratched, developed hairy warts on her body,” Nairuba says.
Whenever the warts develop, they are accompanied by hair growth that has to be removed so that she does not have a hairy body. The girl’s mother separated with her father because of the strange disease.
“Kyazike’s mother could not stand the condition and after unsuccessfully seeking help from several health units, she ran away and is now married elsewhere,” Nairuba says.
Kyazike now lives with her father David Kyebanakolanga, a peasant farmer in Nabikondo village, Nabitende sub-county in Iganga district. She says she does not feel any irritation, though whenever she touches the growths, she feels great discomfort.
“At first we took her to traditional healers, but the situation just kept getting worse. Somebody advised us to try Iganga Hospital. We took the child there, but there was no improvement,” he says.
They were referred to Buluba Hospital in Mayuge district in 2010. A medical report obtained indicates that the girl was then referred (again) to see specialists in Mulago Hospital. However, her father says he failed to raise the money to take Kyazike to Kampala.
“It is already difficult taking care of the seven children I have, so where can I get the money to go to consult a dermatologist as advised?” he asks.
Neglect?
Sarah Kagoya, the programme officer of African Network for Protection and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) wonders whether this is not a case of child neglect.
“There are many NGOs out there that could have assisted Kyazike before the situation got this bad. The problem was that the father did not really bother to seek the necessary assistance,” Kagoya says.
Dr. Siraji Kizito, the medical superintendent of Iganga Hospital, argues that if the referral case had been followed up, the child would have got the right diagnosis and treatment by now.
“If the medical workers cannot handle a case and you are sent elsewhere, the best option is to go because that is where the experts are,” Kizito adds.
Doctor's view
Dr. Peter Waiswa of Makerere University School of Public Health (MUSPH) says the condition could have come up as a result of multiple factors.
“The paleness of the body and sores in the scalp are seemingly not related at all. The sores are most likely an infection of Tinea capitis, a fungal infection of the skin on the head,” says Waiswa.
According to him, it does not itch and is very common in toddlers who usually outgrow it to have a smooth skin later. Treatment is by way of anti-fungal medicines available in most pharmacies. However, they are expensive and need to be taken for at least six months.
If you would like to help Kyazike, contact us on sunday@newvision.co.ug