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Guinea: Treatment and prevention of esophageal caustic stenosis in children

by Terre des hommes | Terre des hommes (Tdh) - Switzerland
Monday, 14 December 2015 08:39 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Every year, hundreds of children in Guinea are victims of accidents caused by the intake of caustic soda. Without immediate and adequate treatment, these accidents provoke the death of many children. Terre des hommes (Tdh) has developed a project to treat and prevent esophageal caustic stenosisin order to reduce the number of victims and improve the medical care.

Bita is 12 years old. One day she comes home from school very thirsty. She finds a bottle containing a colorless liquid which looks like water, so she drinks it. The substance inside the bottle was not water, but caustic soda used to make dyes. Now Bita suffers from severe burns on her tongue and in her digestive system which will leave serious damages.

Due to the frequency and severity of the cases in which children ingest caustic soda in Guinea, Tdh and its local partners with the support of Vitoria city council, has developed a project to treat and prevent esophageal caustic stenosis. This project has already cured more than 100 children in two years.

Improving medical care

An immediate intervention after the intake of caustic soda is essential. This is why Tdh has improved the pediatric surgery unit of the Hospital Ignace Deen in Guinea, equipped the anesthesia device in order to safely perform surgeries and installed an ultrasound machine which allows to make a precise diagnosis.

Moreover, Tdh has trained health professionals so they can provide direct medical treatments. The NGO has also distributed first aid kits in the regional hospitals of Kindia and Bouké and in the local health centers.

Raising awareness among the media and communities

To reduce the number of victims, we must inform the media and raise awareness among the communities. This is achieved through advertising campaigns (TV, radio, billboards) and posters about domestic accidents in health centers.

Tdh has also informed mothers about the risks of caustic soda intakes and on the importance of an immediate medical intervention. Awareness-raising workshops have been conducted in factories, schools and homes. Tdh has also organized recreational activities with children such as storytelling and soccer games.

Solution for the long term

Today, a search is ongoing for an adequate recipient to the safe storage of caustic soda in its liquid state. Indeed, the esophageal caustic stenosis is caused by an accidental intake of caustic soda in its liquid state (which looks like water) or solid state (which looks like a candy or sugar). This intake provokes tongue, throat, larynx, esophagus and stomach burning, impeding children to swallow in addition to high fever and pain.

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