Marzia is a 14-year-old teenage girl living in Kabul. Originally she is from Maidan Wardak province.
She was two years old when she collapsed into a traditional oven (Tandoor), which is used for making bread in Afghanistan.
Ali Akbar is Marzia's father, who is the only bread winner for a family comprsing of 8 members. Ali narrated that the family used to live happily and all of a sudden a distartous thing happened as Marzia fell into the sizzling bread oven. She was immediately taken to the nearest health centre, i.e. Behsud Clinic, and her pain from the burns was relieved after first aid.
Later on the family members realized that Marzia was not able to walk and on top of that she had lost the ability to control her excretion.
Marzia and ofcoruse the entire family suffered from such a painful situation for years. When Marzia turned 7, the family shifted to Kabul and visited a public hospital, where she was operated and some medicines were prescribed but unfortunately to no avail.
One good day, Ali's relative advised to visit the office of La Chaine de l'Espoir from where Marzia was referred to FMIC. After initial investigation, Dr Tariq Rahimi, Head of the Paediatric Surgery Department, decided to go for a surgery. Dr Rhimi maintained that burning of the urogenital area and lower extremities began at the age of two years and has continued due to the possibility of anal and genital scarring, as well as being depressed neurologically and psychologically, which is why she was not able to control her excretion.
According to Dr Tariq Rahimi, five reconstructive surgeries were performed in one year. Reconstructive surgery is a delicate and hard procedure that needs high-level planning and manipulation, especially in the absence of controlled excretions.
Ali Akbar, Marzia's father, reminds us that when he compares Marzia's previous and current situation, he finds it hard to believe that she has improved so much. Thankfully she can walk properly, and has gained control of her hygine.
Ali further said that, “our great happiness comes from the fact that she has now entered the first grade of school and is able to study and play with her friends".
Marzia's family did not have to pay any cost for the treatment since the entire cost of the treatment was covered by La Chaine de l'Espoir.
