Positivity: U.S. Army Doctors Aid Badly Burned Afghan Baby

A baby badly burned when only two days old is on the road to survival and recovery.

From Defend America (HT S.O.B. member Camp Katrina, who suggests, and I agree, that “some prayers are in order for this special little girl and the soldiers from the 249th, Katrina Campers!”):

Personnel at the 249th General Hospital developed a close bond with the infant, badly burned
on her face and head at two days old when a kerosene lamp exploded in her home.

By U.S. Army Pfc. Vincent Fusco
20th Public Affairs Detachment
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Feb. 7, 2006 — Soldiers from 249th General Hospital, Task Force Strength visited Zargona, a special Afghan girl who, in the first five months of her life, received inpatient care for life-threatening injuries.

Zargona, like many Afghans, has only one name and was badly burned on her face and head at two days old when a kerosene lamp exploded in her home in May.

U.S. Army Dr. (Capt.) Patrick Raney

At her checkup Jan. 17, doctors maintained that her health is “looking very good” despite extensive facial scarring.

“Her wounds really look very good,” said U.S. Army Dr. (Capt.) Patrick Raney, a family practice physician with 249th General Hospital. “From when she came in (until) now, she’s had a dramatic improvement.”

“She’s lucky to be alive,” said Raney, who has been Zargona’s family practitioner since she was first admitted. “With burns to the face and neck, (the injuries) could have caused her airway to become constricted.”

U.S. Army Dr. (Lt. Col.) Joseph Kolb, the chief of plastic surgery at Walter Reed Army Hospital, D.C., is assigned to 249th General Hospital, Task Force Strength to help Zargona. He is also a plastic surgery consultant for the surgeon general.

Starting in September, Kolb performed four reconstructive surgeries on Zargona’s eyes and one ear.

Though she can now close her eyes and listen without impairment, the extent of her injuries will continue to cause short- and long-term problems that will require more surgeries.

Unfortunately, reconstruction will need to take place at different times (in her life),” Kolb said. “I fixed the things that were the most immediate threats to her well-being.”

“I’ve seen many burn victims, and she’s certainly the youngest,” Raney said.

In November, she was discharged from the hospital and has been seen every two to four weeks for regular checkups and immunizations.

In the time Zargona spent in the hospital, the staff developed a close bond with her and her parents, Raney said. At every checkup, they receive food and baby supplies donated from the troops who have helped restore her health.

The hospital has been invaluable to improving Zargona’s health, but lacks the necessary equipment to follow up on her conditions.

Hospital and the Afghan Ministry of Health officials are making plans to fly her and a family member, for a month-long visit, to the Boston Shriners Hospital for further treatment, Raney said.