An 11-year-old girl from Mwansabombwe District in Luapula Province is recovering after undergoing a complex life-saving operation to correct a severe intestinal complication that had left her with faecal matter leaking through her stomach for a month.
The girl was initially taken to a local health facility before being referred to Ng’anga Bilonda Hospital, where she arrived in critical condition following a previous botched surgery that left her unable to move or live normally.
According to the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS), medical examinations conducted during an ongoing outreach mission revealed that her intestines had adhered together, causing waste to pass through her stomach instead of the normal digestive route.
Consultant general surgeon Seke Kazumu swiftly carried out an emergency intestinal reversal procedure to correct the condition.
“The case was complicated because the intestines were stuck together,” Dr Kazumu said. “However, we managed to separate and reconnect them successfully. She is now on a clear path to a normal life.”
The girl is reported to be in stable condition and recovering well after the delicate surgery.
On the same day, Dr Kazumu performed five additional major operations, including hernia surgeries on three children aged one, three and seven.
The ZFDS surgical outreach camps, conducted under the Ministry of Health, aim to deliver specialised healthcare services to remote communities as part of Zambia’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
