The Long Road to Recovery

By FAME

Three year old Lemayian arrived at FAME Medical in visible pain. He was rushed to the emergency room by the FAME team, where they quickly learned from his distraught mother what had happened two weeks earlier. He had been playing tag with the other children when he bolted inside his home to hide. He collided with a pot of boiling porridge, which caused third degree burns over most of his body.

From there Lemayian’s road to recovery was a long and painful one.  He was rushed to a medical facility in Mang’ola near Lake Eyasi. However, as that facility was unable to provide the emergency care Lemayian required, he was transferred to a different medical facility in central Karatu. Shortly after being moved there, his relatives recommended he seek medical assistance at FAME instead, due to its reputation in the area for burn care.

At FAME, Lemayian received multiple skin grafts and dressings for his burns —operations that are, unfortunately, all too common at FAME.  In 2019 thus far, burn dressings have been the second most common procedure performed at FAME. More than 40 dressings and five skin grafts have been conducted at FAME so far this year.   

 While the average inpatient stay at FAME is about three and a half days, Lemayian stayed with us for just under a month due to the severity of his injuries.  As he improved day by day, he became very popular and well-liked by FAME staff and our FAME dog Charlie.  His inquisitive and engaging little spirit, along with his stubborn perseverance,  had a special way of drawing people in.  In only a couple of weeks, he was walking again and exploring everything within his reach.

His mother Neema was kind and appreciative of the treatment we provided for Lemayian. “The treatment was wonderful because Lemayian received very fast care and treatment. I was very scared because the wounds seemed like they would never get better. I thank FAME Hospital and the doctors a lot for making this happen and allowing us to go home. We have nothing to give in return only that we pray for you all.”

Lemayian was looking better than ever when he returned to FAME several weeks later for another dressing change. It was deeply gratifying for our medical team to see him in such good spirits and to know that he has a new lease on life.

NOTE: The names of the patient and mother were changed to protect their privacy.