Somalia: KDF troops rescue badly burnt girl in Dhobley military hospital

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A badly burnt Somali girl was recently released from a Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] military hospital in Dhobley, Jubaland state, AU Mission in Somalia said, just over eight months after she was admitted in the facility.

Naima Mohamed Baale, 2, was tipped over a pot of boiling water in her family's home at Hisingo in Jubaland, leaving her with over 45 percent burns according to doctors who handled her at first in Dhobley General Hospital.

With her tender age, her father Mohamed Baale said, he nearly lost hope at the facility due to extensive burns. Unfortunately, Dhobley General Hospital lacked expertise in the treatment and management of severe burns.

“When I brought her to Dhobley General Hospital she was in a very critical condition and I thought I was going to lose her. The first three months she was in hospital were the worst. I almost gave up on her,” he recalled.

But in October 2019, their hopes were rejuvenated when a team of AU forces from KDF visited the regional hospital as part of a medical outreach program. After seeing how critical her condition was, they immediately recommended Naima’s transfer to AMISOM’s level II Hospital, the team said.

At the hospital, the infant underwent an escharotomy surgery; a procedure used to treat third-degree burns on the skin. Maj Dr. Ephantus Munyoki, who took part in the surgery and care of Naima, said apart from the escharotomy surgery, Naima underwent several other procedures including blood transfusion.

“She had 45 percent total body surface area burns. We took her through successive surgeries which involved the removal of scarred tissue. In her case the scarred tissues were also infected,” he said in an interview.

Throughout her treatment, AMISOM said, Naima underwent weekly cleaning and dressing of her wounds to keep off infections and quicken the long but efficient healing process, which is part of the standard health procedures.

And in recent weeks, the young girl was released from the facility after the eight-month specialized treatment at the military hospital, with the family expressing satisfaction and gratitude to the KDF officers who attended to her.

Lieutenant Colonel David Ndung'u, the commandant of the facility, said the case was the first involving severe burns in the region. The case, he added, was an enduring example of AMISOM's dedication to providing life-saving intervention in Somalia.

At the time of discharge, AMISOM said, both the girl, her family, and the medical team from the KDF were emotional. She had become part of "our family" but the team was generally happy that she had successfully recovered from the severe burns.

A farewell party was held as part of the military tradition, which included the cutting of the cake. In the yard of Level II Hospital is a tree that was planted in her honor, to remember her bravery in fighting through and her infectious smile that won over everyone.

Noor Bihi Osman, the District Health Coordinator, hailed AMISOM for their unwavering support in health, education, security, and humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia.

“She was in a bad condition when we brought her and we did not think she was going to survive. They saved her life,” Osman said. “We got excellent care and treatment here”, Naima’s father said. “My daughter has fully recovered and I am happy that I can now take her home.”

Besides protecting the civilian population from Al-Shabaab onslaught, the AMISOM troops are involved in various community-based activities to improve the living standards of locals. Medical outreach and food programs are the most popular.

In 2021, the AU Mission troops will officially leave Somalia, a decade after they were mobilized to restore peace and order. Despite suffering massive setbacks, officials say, the troops have managed to liberate strategic towns in the war-torn nation.

KDF has close to 3,500 troops in the country who man sections of Sector II and VI of AMISOM jurisdictions in Jubaland. The troops are credited for liberating the strategic port city of Kismayo in 2012.

GAROWE ONLINE