PC is 17 years old and likes to play soccer. Unfortunately, about 3 weeks ago he was leading his family’s cattle to the river when he stepped on a hidden land mine, losing his left foot. He was taken to surgery where his left leg was amputated just above the ankle. PC’s stump became infected and so the area was cleaned and debrided. Although the area now looks healthy without any more purulent drainage, he will have another amputation this week just below the knee.
PC is one of many land mine victims still being seen across Zimbabwe today. During Zimbabwe’s independence war in the 1970s, approximately 3 million land mines were laid by the Rhodesian Army along the Zambia and Mozambique borders to prevent independence fighters from neighboring countries from entering. While there have been land mine removal projects, support and effort for such projects is dwindling. And sadly, the effects are often seen on young adults and children like PC and our 4 year old little girl recently admitted after stepping on a land mine and losing her leg above the knee.
PC is resilient. Despite his situation and phantom limb pain, he continues to give a thumbs up during rounds every day and is scheduled for his next surgery tomorrow.
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| PC |
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| PC and I with sister Zengeya |
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