Sanele Dlamini, a 4 year old girl.
Sanele Dlamini, a 4 year old girl was bitten by a snake that was not identified but the symptoms suggest it was cytotoxic and most probably a Mozambique Spitting Cobra.
The mother noticed fang marks. A tourniquet was applied from the knee extending proximally and they first reported to a Gover nment Hospital where she unfortunately did not receive any antivenom as they had none. She was transferred to another government hospital on the 3rd day after the bite. The doctors did what they thought best, and tried all they could to save the little girl’s leg. Unfortunately her leg was amputated after 2 weeks. This tragedy could have been avoided if only she was given the antivenom on arrival at the first hospital.
This tragedy could have been avoided if Sanele had been given antivenom on arrival at the first hospital.
We are currently trying to raise funds for a prosthetic limb so that she can return to school and begin to build some kind of normal life.
Graphic images of poor Sanele's foot showing severe necrosis. If antivenom had been available it would have saved her leg.
Antivenom Swazi Foundation
providing hope and cure for snakebite victims in Swaziland
Antivenom is expensive, even by western standards.
One vial of antivenom costs around £45 or $70.
It takes around 5 vials to treat someone who has been bitten by a black mamba.
No donation is too small.
