The face of seven-year-old Ian Baraka was destroyed due to a terrible banditry attack early this year and now the little boy has had a reconstructive surgery, which is complicated, successfully done at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
The procedure was nothing less than a miracle. The operation that went on for almost eight hours was attended by maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and ENT specialists. The surgeons repaired Ian’s damaged facial structure with the most advanced medical technology.
The hospital team did a comprehensive 3D mapping of Ian’s face before the procedure in order to intimately know the exact areas for surgical intervention. The operation converted the shattered bones around the nasal area with a platinum plate, dental implants were inserted to the natural teeth, and finally, a prosthetic nose was fitted to relieve and complete the anatomic.
One of the lead doctors, Dr. Margaret Mwasha, said that “the operation was one of the most delicate and technically complex procedures” done in pediatric reconstructive surgery in Kenya.
The hospital has also released a statement indicating that Ian is healing well at the children’s hospital and discharge is therefore expected in the following days. The surgery has been celebrated as a big success in the medical field which is a great source of hope to those who are in the same path of suffering.
Mothers of Ian expressed support for the medical team and the well-wishers who were with them during the difficulty, saying that they were moved to tears.
In the meantime, the bandits who committed the robbery and violence that left Ian and others badly wounded are still at large. The incident has led to a call for more security in the vulnerable areas all over the country.
