Congolese Boy Disfigured By Chimps Set For Reconstructive Surgery in New York
A now 8-year-old boy, Dunia Sibomana, from the Democratic republic of Congo is lucky to be alive. About two years back, a group of chimpanzees had reportedly jumped from the trees and attacked him and two other boys as they played near a preserve in Congo, DailyMail reports. While the other two boys, Dunia’s four-year-old brother and a young cousin, were killed by the attacking apes, he survived albeit with injuries which left the young boy disfigured.
Dunia’s lips were ripped off and one cheek torn apart, leaving him with muscle damage that makes it hard for him to eat, swallow and communicate.
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The young boy is now set to undergo a rare and complicated surgery at a Long Island hospital in New York that will use tissue and muscle from his forearm to recreate both lips. The hope is that he will once again be able to open and close his mouth, and eat and talk normally. Dr. Leon Klempner, an associate professor of dentistry at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, where Dunia will undergo the operation, said:
‘As you can imagine, not having any lips, the food can just come right out. He drools all the time and can’t pronounce different words.’
The planned eight-hour procedure will be the first of three major operations for Dunia, who was brought from the Congo in November with the help of the non-profit foundation, ‘Smile Rescue for Kids.’ Dr. Alexander Dagum, the hospital’s chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery, said he believes there are only three other documented cases where the same surgery has been performed.
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The hospital is reportedly covering the cost of the surgery and the doctors have all donated their time. In his short time in the United States, he has been living with a host family on Long Island, attending elementary school and learning English in addition to his native Swahili. Klempner reportedly said,
‘We’re feeling very optimistic. We’re hoping after the surgery he’ll reintegrate into society and perhaps go back to school or have some semblance of a normal life.’
Great! thanks to all that contribute to his surgery may God bless u all
So sad.I pray he recovers
Oh Lord
It’s well
Wow….thanks to the hospital and wonderful doctors. I pray it comes out well.
Awwww I pray for a successful surgery for him. Thank God for the doctors oh.
dem do well ooo……successful surgery boy!
I pray for a successful surgery for him amen.
It shall go well
Poor kid
I wish him a successful operation and quick recovery.
I wish him Goodluck
Wishing him a successful surgery.
chai.hmmmn.
may God grant him successful surgery
he will come out in peace in jesus name
Very good news
Wow…i wish him all the best.