36 children deformed by quinine get free operation

BUKEDEA. The first batch of 36 children of the more than 1,000 who were deformed due to poor administration of quinine injection in Bukedea District have undergone free bilateral gluteus release operation at Kumi Hospital.
Quinine is an antimalarial drug. Authorities in the district started registering cases of deformed children in 2017.

According to Dr Scholastica Amuron, the surgical assistant at Kumi Hospital Ongino, the operation was sponsored by doctors from Netherlands.

She said 99 per cent of the affected children underwent treatment at the hands of untrained medical personnel operating private clinics.
“The operations are vigorous, we have to study the state of the veins, then have the operation done by unblocking the veins and in the short run, the victims can regain their normal state,” Dr Amuron explained.
She called for regulation of private health units if such cases are to be phased out.

Assistance
Mr Albert Koffman, the programme coordinator for Bukedea Educational Transformation International (BETI), said: “Our focus was on education but we met children affected by quinine. We were touched by their condition and had to mobilse funds for soft seats, wheel chairs and now the operations,” he said.

According to Mr Koffman, each operation cost Shs800,00 which most rural families cannot afford.
He revealed that other affected children will also be operated on.

Ms Lucy Asire, a mother of three affected children, appreciated the well-wishers from Netherlands for the sacrifice and support extended to them.
“Where would I have found Shs2.4m to have this operation for my children. I am happy I will see my children walk freely again,” she said.

Mr Stephen Ikodet, Bukedea District health officer said they have instituted an ordinance to crackdown on fake personal operating clinics in the area.

Mr Ikodet said they have also strengthened registration and licensing of all private health units in the district. Last year, the affected children received cushioned plastic chairs and foam sheets to help them sit comfortably in class.

ABOUT QUININE
Quinine is approved for treatment of malaria, but is also commonly prescribed to treat leg cramps and similar conditions. Some of the adverse side effects of using quinine include tinnitus, headache, blurred vision, altered auditory acuity, nausea and diarrhoea which often supervene after the third day of treatment.