Zambia news: Boy having 18 needles in his body to undergo surgery

The University Teaching Hospital says it will next month operate on a three-year-old-boy who was evacuated from Chipata in Eastern Province with 44 needles and wires imbedded in his body. UTH Head of Clinical Care at the Children's Hospital Dr. Musaku Mwenechanya said the boy still has 18 needles in his body which need to be removed.

Dr. Mwenechanya explained that the hospital is currently working on the boy's diet to ensure that he gains weight before undergoing an operation schedule for 7th January 2019. He said the boy was weighing 9.6 kilogrammes when he just arrived from Chipata Central Hospital but has now gained to 11.9 kgs. The hospital is still making preparations for the surgical operation as the hospital requires specialized doctors and equipment to conduct the surgery, Lusaka Times noted.

Dr. Mwenechanya disclosed that some needles are located in very delicate positions such as the chest and abdomen which will require special attention during the operation. The doctor disclosed this when First Lady Esther Lungu visited the boy at UTH to share Christmas gifts with the newborn babies at the facility.

The First Lady took time in the ward to interact with the boy and the mother and gave them Christmas presents. She encouraged the mother of the boy to continue praying for the boy's quick recovery saying God is the only one who knows how the needles entered the boy's body and how they could be removed. She said the first family will continue supporting the boy to ensure that the needles are removed from the body so that he could get better.