Memory Chibakuri is in excruciating pain and can hardly see, talk, eat, walk or relieve herself.
She is bed-ridden and malnourished amid reports that her father, who died recently, denied her access to treatment.Memory’s misery started when she was five years old.
Her father reportedly denied her any form of treatment.Memory’s condition is so bad that she needs urgent specialist treatment.
The disease, which often results from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps, has wiped out her nose, savaged her lower jaw and neck, leaving a scary-looking wound.She has since lost a lot of weight and has a bad odour caused by the poor management of her wounds.
Her aunt, Dorothy Chibakuri, says she has been struggling to fend for her and has been watching dejectedly as life is being slowly squeezed out of her little body.
Dorothy says the disease was detected when Memory was about five years old after she started developing red nodules and lesions with a scaly crust on her face, lower lip, ears and neck.She also had ulcer or flat, white patch inside her mouth.
The deep wound on her esophagus started this year, but no effort was ever made to take her for specialist treatment.
Her father, James Chibakuri, who died on May 15 this year, is said to have kept Memory in captivity as he did not want to have her condition exposed toВ neighbours.
«My brother had a devil’s heart.Memory lived in captivity during his days.
«We only got access to this child at the time of his death in May.He did not want his relatives or neighbours to have anything to do with it.
«James would lie that the girl was well, but that was not the case.He treated her that way thinking she would die before him,» said Dorothy tearfully.
«It pains me to see her in this state.She cannot eat, see, talk or do anything by herself.
«I am the one looking after her, but I am married and need to balance time between her and my own family.The girl is sick; we are not giving her any medication.She is not on any form of treatment, and we only use cotton wool and water to clean the wound.
«As you can see, she is malnourished because her father was not giving her food.I am appealing for food to feed her.»
Memory was taken to Rusape General Hospital on June 3 and a doctor who attended to her referred her to theВ Oncology Clinic (Parirenyatwa Hospital) for further treatment.
Dorothy said they have been unable to raise funds to take her to Parirenyatwa Hospital for radiotherapy.
«We are failing, but we want her to be treated.
«If anyone can help, they are most welcome.
«Her condition will also require that we take her in a private vehicle, not public transport,» she said.
Well-wishers can call the family on В 0773 037326.
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