A Fathers superstitution and decision to resort to local treatment for his 14-year-old son’s snakebite, has led to an eventual amputation of the leg of Master Emmanuel Boadum. Master Boadum, one of the most brilliant pupils in his class at the Krankuase L/A Primary School in the Sene District in Brong-Ahafo met his fate while on an errand.

On that fateful day in the life of the pupil, primary six his father sent him to his mother’s farm for some foodstuff for the preparation of a meal for the family, after he had returned from school. Emmanuel, known for his eagerness to run errands for adults, both in the home and school, quickly put off his school uniform, picked a basket and set off for the farm, a few kilometres away from Krankuase. Unfortunately for him, as he was making his way, a huge snake attacked and bit his left foot, spelling the beginning of his woes.

Emmanuel rushed back home to report the incident to his parents, who failed to seek medical treatment.

The father attributed the incident to superstition, and resorted to local treatment. A week after application, the boy’s foot began to swell and his skin peeled off, and eventually as the picture shows, a serious infection set in and eventually, the bone became visible. The snakebite victim’s father was not a registered member of the Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, and could therefore, not avail himself of the opportunity of a hospital attention even as his son’s condition worsened.

A good Samaritan who visited the boy’s house and saw his condition, pleaded to have him sent to hospital. On arrival at the health facility, doctors could only amputate the clearly rotten leg, to save the boy from an eventual death.

An amount of ¢17 million has so far been spent on the boy’s medical treatment, through the kindness of philanthropists who were touched by his plight. In view of a related complication, additional monetary support is required to prevent him from possible death, which his parents, in their present condition cannot afford. The Sene District Chief Executive, Madam Cynthia Tiriku-Danso, has made a personal donation of ¢2 million towards the boy’s treatment, and has pledged the District Assembly’s support for his education.