In the heart of Ethiopia lies the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, with a population of nearly three million and five hundred thousand people. It’s a metropolis that continues to grow within a matter of hours. In the surrounding forests, places are under constant threat of attacks from wild animals, and it was in the small village of Bena that Abel’s incredible story began.
Abel, a five-year-old boy, suffered a life-altering attack by a hyena five months ago. The vicious attack left Abel with a gaping wound on the top of his head, his upper lip missing, and his jaw completely destroyed. Despite the severity of his injuries, Abel’s journey towards recovery has already seen significant progress.
Abel’s father, devastated by the incident, insisted on taking his son to a larger hospital in Addis Ababa, an eight-hour journey away. Abel’s chance of survival seemed bleak, but his father was determined to seek help.
Upon reaching the nearest city hospital, Dr. Morangos attended to Abel’s critical condition. The hyena attack had caused severe damage to Abel’s face, jaw, and ear. He was unconscious upon arrival, requiring resuscitation and intubation. The medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize Abel, fearing for his life.
With Abel’s jaw and facial muscles severely affected, his trachea faced the risk of collapse. In an emergency surgery, Dr. Mohamed inserted a metal structure to keep the airway open, as the supporting structures were completely destroyed.
Abel’s father arrived at the hospital, desperate to save his son. Despite financial challenges, he insisted on transferring Abel to a larger hospital in Addis Ababa. The father believed that the odds of survival would be higher in the capital.
The pictures of Abel’s injuries shocked volunteer surgeons from the charity “Faces in Africa.” They decided to attempt facial reconstruction for Abel, despite initial doubts about the success of the surgery.
The surgery plan involved reconstructing Abel’s jaw using skin and bone from his leg. Surgeons carefully traced a detailed plan based on Abel’s head images.
After four months in intensive care, Abel was transferred to the rehabilitation center in Meneghél. The surgery to reconstruct Abel’s face was scheduled, aiming to restore his ability to swallow and potentially allow him to eat normally.
Abel’s parents cherished every moment spent with their son, playing and engaging in activities while eagerly awaiting the upcoming surgery. The procedure, while challenging, offered hope for Abel’s future.
Surgeons from “Faces in Africa” arrived in Ethiopia to carry out the intricate facial reconstruction surgery. Despite initial uncertainties, they aimed to rebuild Abel’s jaw using skin and bone grafts from his leg.
Abel’s story is a testament to his resilience and the dedication of medical professionals and charitable organizations working together to offer him a chance at a normal life. The journey toward recovery continues, with Abel undergoing multiple surgeries to improve his facial functions and appearance.
Abel’s progress has been remarkable, with the grafts successfully fusing with his jaw. The next surgery will focus on improving his jaw functions and providing him with artificial teeth.