Lonah A., 17

Lonah is the fifth-born child in her family and lives with her mother and siblings in a two-roomed mud-walled house. She is currently in Form Four and relies on sponsors and well-wishers to support her school fees. Her mother works as a casual labourer to provide for the family’s basic needs. According to the family, Lonah’s mother had travelled to visit a sick relative, leaving Lonah and her brothers at home. Lonah went to sleep in the kitchen, which is separate from the main house. During the night, an intruder forcefully broke into the kitchen and threatened her to remain silent and still. Lonah resisted and attempted to escape, but during the struggle she was stabbed in the abdomen. She managed to run to her stepmother’s house, who immediately rushed her to the health facility. She arrived at the hospital with a deep abdominal cut wound and evisceration, meaning some of the internal intestines had protruded outside the abdomen due to the injury. The family had learned about Helpster Charity through a volunteer who visited their church to share information about the organization’s support programs.

Lonah came to the hospital with complaints of abdominal trauma following a stab. She was taken to theater and later admitted to the post operation ward for further management. While in the ward she was administered IV ceftriaxone, metronidazole, morphine among other drugs. She had also lost a lot of blood during the ordeal and during surgery and therefore she was also transfused blood. She responded well to treatment and was eventually discharged on orals. A call to the family revealed she had recovered and had gone back to her normal life.

Lonah sustained penetrating abdominal trauma from a stab wound, resulting in three perforations of the ileum. This was a life-threatening injury requiring emergency surgical intervention. A bowel resection and anastomosis were successfully performed to remove the damaged sections of the intestine and restore continuity of the bowel. Prompt surgery helped prevent further contamination of the abdominal cavity and reduced the risk of severe infection and other complications. Following the procedure, Lonah's condition is stabilizing and recovery progressing satisfactorily. The prognosis is good. A full recovery is expected, although close monitoring is necessary to detect any postoperative complications.