Here is the bullet says Dr Gichuru Mwangi, the Head Neurosurgeon at KNH after successful operation on Baby Satrine/Jemmimah Wangui
Gichuru Mwangi head neurosurgeon at the hospital told journalists that the baby was operated on by a team of 5 doctors.
“This morning at 8:30 through neurosurgical procedure we performed the surgery and we were able to remove the bullet from where it was deeply logged in the baby’s head.”
“The team was made up of 4 neurosurgeons and 1 general who guided the surgeons through the procedure.”
“The bullet was at an intricate point of the brain that if not carefully removed could lead to visual impairment in the child. We can confirm that the child is out of danger with no risks of future complications,” explained Gichuru.
The doctors however recommended the child be put under observation for the next few days.
“After surgery we were able to close up at the wounds. The child is active and even speaking and in another four hours we will be able to feed him without a problem.”
“The child still needs to rest before he can be fully ready to return to his normal life.”
Christopher Musau another doctor who was part of the team, urged Kenyans to give chance to the local hospitals saying that they are well trained to attend to all patients.
“I appeal to the public that this hospital has a strong neurosurgical team where we can do complex brain surgeries that match those that are done in the centres around the world.”
“We are able to do those surgeries so instead of people having to go elsewhere they should seek what is locally available.”
“The government should also promote the local hospitals and medics that way we will save on the foreign exchange that goes out,” he urged.
The one- and a half year old boy had a bullet lodged in his head following a March 23 gun attack on a Likoni Church.
Speaking after receiving baby Satrine Osinya at the Kenyatta National Hospital last Tuesday, Mwangi explained that the period will also be used to clean and sterilise the wound in preparation for surgery.
“The common side effect of this bullet if we do not operate will actually be an abscess forming within a span of four to six weeks. If we left the bullet and there is no pus, there will be a scar forming round the bullet. Any scar that is in the brain will elicit a problem and that will be epilepsy,” he stated.
He pointed out that the bullet was lodged in the right side of the boy’s brain, which he says gave some hope because most of the cognitive functions are controlled by the left side of the brain.
During the briefing, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia condemned the attack on the church describing it as an act of cowardice, while stating the government’s commitment to ensure that all affected are treated.
“We condemn this attack in every way possible. It is an act of cowardice and should not be tolerated in any way whatsoever. Our heart goes to all those who were affected and I can assure you that as government we are not sparing any costs to ensure that they are treated,” he stated.
“As you can see, this is part of the advantage of having devolution, that you have a county hospital referring such a case to a national hospital so the system is working,” he said.
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