Boko Haram: Child victim survives surgery, begins to walk
Mon, Sep 25, 2017 | By publisher
Health
A SIX-year old Boko Haram victim, Ali Ahmadu, has survived a corrective surgery in his spinal cord. He can now walk, after 14 days in the hospital.
While being ferried to Dubai on September 10, all he could mutter repeatedly in Hausa was: “Ina so insake tafiya da kafana…Don Allah ataimakamu…Don Allah. Ina so in je makaranta”. (“I want to begin to walk with my legs again. For God’s sake, assist me. I want to go to school”).
Now Ali can walk as he “miraculously” stood up from his hospital bed to the amazement of his shocked doctors. They had projected that it would take him four weeks to walk.
The surgery at Zulekha Hospital Sharjah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates was coordinated by Dr. Nishit Bhargava.
It was bankrolled by the Dickens Sanomi Foundation with $48,000 (N17.5million).
The Foundation was established by Igho Sanomi who owns the Taleveras Group.
Sanomi said: “Miracles do happen. For those of you who don’t believe in God, better believe in God now.
“This is Ali Ahmadu who was run over by Boko Haram terrorists in 2014. The boy and his pregnant mother were left under a tree for three days. The boy was bleeding from mouth and nose throughout the agonising days.
“Ali’s spinal cord was damaged and he couldn’t walk. For three years, help was needed. God made it possible after five to six hours of surgery and 48 hours in intensive care. Little Ali could walk again. This happened today to everyone’s surprise.
“This determined six-year old boy got off his bed and decided to walk despite doctors’ expectations that he would need physiotherapy to learn to walk again at least three weeks after surgery. Today, Ali walked after just seven days.
“This made my day and I am so proud of the Dickens Sanomi Foundation for making this surgery possible financially.”
The founder of Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care, GIPLC, Nuhu Fulani Kwajafa, who collaborated with the Sanomi Foundation, how Ali was picked up before finally landing in Dubai.
He said: “After five hours on the 17th of September and almost 48 hours in Intensive Care Unit, Ali Ahmadu had a very successful procedure.
“It has been a divine journey starting far away in Chibok in 2014. It is the story of a little boy left to die, underneath a tree, to where (Dubai) we are today.
“It is about a fighting spirit, a resolute charming soul and spirit beating all odds to survive and walk again.
“It seemed unachievable but thanks to all our efforts. We have cause to rejoice. This is to say a big thank you from Ali’s family and GIPLC. Most especially our best regards goes to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his colleagues who set the ball rolling towards raising funds and awareness for the surgery.
“Our profound gratitude goes specially to Dickens Sanomi Foundation for making it all happen and for being at the hospital with Ali..
“This surgery was made possible by the esteemed Foundation. Thank you once again the Chairman of the Foundation, Igho Sanomi and its Board of Trustees.
“We thank the press (print and electronic). We cannot do it without you.We are grateful. We thank Nigerians for their prayers and well-wishes. God will bless you all immensely. God has done it again.” – The Nation Newspaper
– Sept 25, 2017 @ 14:50 GMT
Related Posts
Association urges health practitioners, radiographers to uphold ethics of profession
THE Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), Lagos Branch, has called on healthcare professionals, especially radiographers to be engaged in...
Read MoreWHO unveils Nigeria’s first climate health vulnerability, adaptation assessment report
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) unveiled Nigeria’s first-ever Climate Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Report (VA) during the Health Sector-Wide...
Read MoreNigeria, 7 others begin African-led HIV vaccine development
NIGERIA and seven other African countries have begun a project to check HIV in the continent...
Read MoreMost Read
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Keep abreast of news and other developments from our website.