ABKEB’S STORY
Abkeb, a six-month-old child, was brought to Saglan Wajee General Hospital in Holeta to undergo cleft lip surgery as part of our recent program. Abkeb was born to parents Mentesenot and Genenet in the Oromia Region. As their first child, the family was shocked when Abkeb was born with a cleft lip, as there had been no history of such a condition in the family. Both parents were deeply distressed by the situation, and as a result, Abkeb’s mother often kept him hidden from public view to avoid the stigma associated with his condition. They sought treatment for Abkeb by bringing him to our Saglan Wajee Hospital program, accompanied by his mother and grandmother.
Despite making several visits to hospitals and health centers, Abkeb’s mother, Genet, was repeatedly told that her baby couldn’t undergo cleft lip surgery until he reached six months of age. In her determination to find a solution, Genet closely followed the Telegram account of the Oromia health center and reached out to the Oromia Region program manager for vital information on seeking treatment at Saglan Wajee General Hospital.
Abkeb’s father, along with his mother-in-law and wife, made the decision to bring Abkeb to the hospital. While Genet personally felt less worried, his wife carried the burden of concern for their first child born with a cleft lip. Dealing withconstant scrutiny and comments from people placed a significant emotional burden on her. Abkeb’s mother, expressed her anger and frustration with constantly being confronted with questions about her child’s condition and the lack of treatment.
When the family arrived at Saglan Wajee general Hospital they felt a sense of hope and were encouraged by the successful outcomes of previous patients. They expressed their gratitude that they were able to receive free treatment for Abkeb and told us that the surgery would not only change their son’s life, but also bring joy to the whole family. They are excited for Abkeb to experience all things that life has to offer without the burdens that come with a cleft condition, such as stigmatisation and health complications.
When asked about his experience at Project Harar’s programme, Abkeb’s father told us that he “was very happy with the treatment they received and, the family believes that Project Harar should continue its valuable work, benefiting many more in need.”