A GLIMPSE OF DEATH: Kerosene explosion makes life horrible for 11-year-old girl

A GLIMPSE OF DEATH: Kerosene explosion makes life horrible for 11-year-old girl

On her bed at the Michael Okpara Ward of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, capital of Abia State, Esther Emeka Ude, an 11-year-old Primary 5 pupil of Divine Learning Academy, Aba, cuts a pathetic picture.

She has been lying on her left side since December 30 last year when she was admitted to the hospital. She had suffered third degree burns following a lantern explosion in the room where she and her siblings were sleeping.

Her siblings had been rescued from the inferno after the explosion. But Esther, who was asleep on the rug, was trapped inside the room.

As the fire raged, her parents and other relations did not know that Esther was still inside the burning room until they heard some struggling inside.

The door to the room refused to open, and the people outside had to break the door. That was when they beheld Esther, literally on fire and desperately running around the room.

By the time she was eventually rescued, Esther had been burnt from head to toe, especially on the left side. The fire had eaten up her left ear and back region, leaving only a little space on her face. Right now, she has only one ear.

A visit to the hospital at the weekend showed that Esther has been bent double like an aged woman as a result of her continuous lying on her left side. Her left hand has remained gummed to her body.

The little girl cried all through the reporter’s visit. The reporter learnt that she always cries, as the unbearable pain tears through her body. And the ceaseless cries also bring tears to the eyes of the nurses attending to her, it was gathered.

She has undergone several surgeries, but the situation has hardly improved. Many have suggested that she should be flown abroad for better treatment, but the family lacks the wherewithal.

Esther’s father, 48-year-old Emeka Ude, who hails from Akoli Ada in Ebonyi State, is married to Mary, from Amaukwu Igbere in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. He was a petty trader dealing in air freshener at Aba when the incident occurred. He said her daughter’s condition has ensured the collapse of his business. He has since turned to a bus conductor in a bid to raise money for the continued treatment of his daughter.

“I have spent all my money on the treatment of my daughter. My wife used to trade in clothes, but since the incident happened, her business has been grounded, as she has been taking care of the girl in the hospital. We have exhausted all our life savings and exhausted all avenues for borrowing. We now beg to feed.

“We are begging the good people of Nigeria, Abia State, Ebonyi State and people from other parts of the country to help us because of God. We need help because we cannot steal, and we do not want our daughter to die,” he pleaded.

A letter of appeal for financial assistance has been sent out by the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. In the letter, signed by one Dr Mrs. Orieji Uka, the hospital is appealing for financial assistance for Esther.

“Her parents cannot afford to shoulder the financial responsibility of her treatment,” writes the hospital. “The patient’s condition is critical, and the hospital management has done a lot for the patient. She is currently receiving treatment at the Okpara ward. We plead that you reach out and save a soul.”

Her father, Emeka Ude, can be contacted on 08026015509. His account number at UBA, Aba is 2096137246.

Mary, Esther’s mother, expectedly looked clearly overwhelmed by her daughter’s condition when the reporter visited the hospital. She couldn’t speak audibly, only muttering some incoherent sounds and pointing to the sky.

The reporter was told that Esther is a very brilliant child who always comes tops in her class. She wants to pursue a career in teaching, to pass knowledge to her generation.