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Boy wants Kikwete made ’life president’
2006-09-06 09:28:08
By Francisca Binamungu, SAUT
A thirteen-year-old boy who benefited from President Jakaya Kikwete’s benevolence after incurring severe burns, was discharged from hospital yesterday, with a passionate appeal to the nation to make him life president.
When he was discharged after undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery at the Muhimbili National Hospital for eight months, Bakari Hassan, who was visibly overcome with joy said: ’If I had the power, I would make Kikwete life president.’
Hassan, who hails from Sikonge District in Tabora incurred severe burns in a 1999 fire accident that scarred and extensively damaged the left side of his torso and bosom, and left hip, resulting in near-permanent disability.
When Kikwete was on the campaign trail in Tabora ahead of the last general election, Hassan braved the shoving and scuffling of the mammoth crowd to reach the dais where Kikwete was seated to appeal for medical assistance.
Touched, Kikwete then Foreign Minister, responded by ordering the regional administration to ensure that Hassan was taken to hospital for specialised treatment.
Commenting on how he was able to reach Kikwete, Hassan said he went to the venue where he was supposed to address a campaign rally early, long before he (Kikwete) arrived.
’After the rally, I tagged behind his convoy and managed to reach him. I could not shake hands with him because he was surrounded by very many people.
When the crowd peeled away, I managed to have a word with him, whereupon he promised to help,’ an all-smiles and beaming Hassan said.
His mother, Aziza Hassan, said she had lost hope that her son would ever lead a normal life because she is poor and could not afford specialised treatment.
She said Hassan received initial treatment at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC)in 2001, where he was admitted for a month.
The young mother said she was grateful to President Kikwete after he lived up to his promise of footing her son’ medical bills.
Aziza, a widow and the family breadwinner, sells food in open market in Tabora town. She said her son&’ condition had forced her to stop fending for her family to take care of him.
Dr Lorean R. J. Rwayuma, who performed reconstructive surgery on Hassan, said the boy will still require periodic reviews to ensure that his recovery is complete. This includes counselling to enable him to accept his condition.
Hassan, a Standard VI pupil at Mbirani Primary School said that the accident had affected class attendance and participation.
’My performance at school dropped and I suffered from low self-esteem because my colleagues used to taunt me. Now, I have a chance to redeem myself in school and look to the future with hope,’he said.
Hassan has been undergoing treatment at Muhimbili since January after President Kikwete came into power.
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