A 15-year-old girl who has two bullets lodged on her right shoulder has her family worried after an operation to remove them was cancelled.
<script async src="http://www.samoaobserver.ws///pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
Vai Asi, who is a student at Maluafou College, was hit by gunfire while she and her grandmother were walking on the side of the road at Vaigaga. The incident happened two weeks ago.
Her uncle, Taualeo’o Matafeo, told the Samoa Observer they took his niece to the hospital that night where she was admitted.
“The doctor on duty told us that she needed an operation,” he said.
“We saw the situation and we agreed.”
But the operation did not happen.
“On that same week, we were informed again that our daughter’s operation to remove the bullets has been cancelled,” he said.
According to Taualeo’o, the result of the scan shows that two bullets are lodged in Vai’s arm.
“When we asked why an operation will not happen, the doctor said that the bullets will fall out naturally as she grows up,” Taualeo’o said.
“The doctor said to us that with the help of medication, she will get better.
We were told that if the operation is carried out, it will cause a lot of damage to her and her arm.”
But the explanation did not sit well with Taualeo’o and the family.
“I went back to the doctor and argued that we need to have an operation to remove the bullets,” he said.
“But they insisted that the body can heal around it naturally and the bullets will not be a problem.”
In trying to understand the reasons, Taualeo’o said it is natural for them to worry about Vai’s condition.
“What if the bullets keep moving slowly further into her body?” he asked.
“Without knowing how these medi c a l experts wor k , my understanding is that if a bullet is lodged in someone’s body, isn’t it the natural thing to do to remove it? “This is definitely worrying our family.
“I’m worried because this thing will have a lasting effect on her health if the bullet isn't removed.
“This also could lead to poisoning her body. It will most likely become infected and I am pretty sure that other complications will arise from having bullets in her body.”
Taualeo’o also confirmed despite the medication, his niece is in terrible pain.
“There is no sign of any improvement after the last two weeks,” he said.
“The wound is still growing and her arm is numb. She can hardly move it.
“We need to remove those bullets…we don’t have to wait until that miracle (bullets comes out naturally while taking bills) happens.
“This is non-sense.”
As for the person responsible for the gunshot, Taualeo’o said the matter is now with the Police.
“This is not safe for Samoa,” he said. “I’m very sad because it seems like anyone can shoot anyone at any time and get away with it.
“I hope the Police are investigating.”
It was not possible to get a comment from both the National Health Services and the Police.
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}