By Mabinty M. Kamara
After seven years with scissors in her abdomen following a botched caesarean surgery, Zainab Kamara, 28, finally went under the knife again on Thursday 21st October 2021 to have the surgical instrument taken out by a visiting foreign doctor. The operation took place at the Massanga Hospital in Tonkolili district, northern Sierra Leone.
Local doctors at the Port Loko Government Hospital in 2014 reportedly conducted the first operation on the then heavily pregnant Zainab during which she lost the baby. But during the process, the doctors also abandoned the scissors, which went undetected in her abdomen. Because of this, Zainab had difficulty moving her right leg, and endured persistent bleeding which brought her discomfort and stigmatization among her peers, and ex-husband. She only knew she had the instrument in her abdomen at the Kambia Government hospital, after a pelvic x-ray was carried out this year.
The medics, who conducted her initial surgery seven years ago, are yet to be made to account for their dreadful and monumental medical negligence. But Ishiaka Kamara, elder brother to Zainab, told Politico that his utmost concern now is for his sister to recover fully before they could start fighting for the much needed justice for all the pain and troubles she went through, including stigmatization.
“Only God knows how happy I am that Zainab had a successful surgery. She has suffered a lot to the point that her husband left her and did not stop at that, but to join in mocking and making life difficult for her,” he said.
He added: “As for justice, I won’t rest until those responsible are brought to book but first thing first, is her wellbeing and safety.”
Speaking to Politico, the Executive Director of the Society for Disabled Welfare, the organization that has been championing her cause, Joseph Allieu Kamara expressed delight for the breakthrough over Zainab’s situation, noting that the issue became so frustrating that they almost gave up. However, he called on the support from interested persons so she can be reintegrated into society.
Since Politico first broke the story several months ago, not a single statement was issued by the Medical and Dental Association of Sierra Leone or officials in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Independent sources say doctors are quick to agitate for issues related to their members but shockingly remained muted over what was considered gross ineptitude by surgeons that operated on Zainab, a malfeasance that could have warranted probing and severe disciplinary action, including barring the culprits from ever practicing again, or court action.
A woman in Guyana had scissors lodged in her abdomen for 10 years after an operation following a violent robbery attack in 1990. The error was detected in the year 2000. Though she refused to have the instrument removed, having suffered mental problems and calling fora $10 million compensation, the President of the Guyana Medical Association at the time, Dr. Max Hannoman looked up her Xray report and took the woman’s case seriously. Another 29 year-old woman had to return for another surgery following persistent complaints of abdominal pain. The scissors discovered was swiftly removed ten days after the first surgery. Both incidents but particularly Oada’s, greatly embarrassed medics in the South American country.
The question now is, how many more people could have faced similar situations like Zainab here in Sierra leone and gone undetected, cutting short their lives or leaving them terminally ill due to doctors carelessly failing to remove cotton swabs or other theatre paraphernalia, following surgery?
Copyright © Politico Online 25/10/21
