| published 26-11-2007
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We now have four patients in the hospital who have a condition called enterocutaneous fistula. They all had surgery at other hospitals for various problems but developed a leak in their intestines so now they have stool leaking out their abdominal wounds or their vaginas. Most come to us very sick, dehydrated, severely malnourished and anemic and some near death.
Our approach in helping them is pretty simple; they need food – protein – so we put them on a regimented schedule of taking a soy bean and peanut formula called “kwash pap” because it is used to help malnourished children with kwashiorkor. It is remarkable how well most of these patients do after a few weeks of a high protein diet. Some actually close their fistulas spontaneously without need for surgery. At least they are in better shape to have the surgery so their outcome is better.
I feel so badly for these dear people who have suffered so much at the expense of other “healers” and how desperate they are. Several are from the other main religion so we pray for both spiritual and physical healing. Without the benefit of expensive intravenous nutritional support, we rely on simple foods and prayer.
--Dr. Bill Ardill, SIM Missionary and chief surgeon at Evangel
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