Domestic assault victim, who had knife lodged in cheek, Fatuma Ibrahim discharged from hospital

As she walked out of Kenyatta National Hospital at 11 am Saturday accompanied by doctors, family members and the hospital staff, Fatuma Ibrahim, the lady who had a knife lodged in her cheek a week ago, could not hide her joy.

Fatuma, who walked with a huge smile on her face, was discharged Saturday after a successful surgery by doctors in the hospital to remove the knife. She was attacked by her husband during a domestic quarrel.

The 32-year-old from Khorof village in Wajir County said she had fully recovered and thanked everyone who came to her rescue and saved her life.

She said: "I thank God, the AMREF flying doctors, Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyans who came to my rescue. I have fully recovered and am ready to go back to my children."

Doctors at KNH hold knife dislodged from Fatuma's cheek. The doctors at  at Wajir County Referral Hospital were unable to remove the knife and she was referred to Nairobi. (PHOTO: FILE/ STANDARD)

Fatuma was stabbed by her husband multiple times in their home in Wajir East. The mother of three revealed that she had been suffering domestic violence in silence before the incident which caught the attention of Kenyans.

"My husband used to attack me over domestic issues but I chose to stay with him and persevere. I could not leave him because of our children. That is why I chose to stay in an abusive marriage. I am ready to go back home and stay with my children. My husband should face the full force of the law," Fatuma said.

Lead surgeon at KNH Dr Edwin Rono expressed gratitude that Fatuma was a good patient and said they were satisfied that she was out of danger.

"I am satisfied to see her smile and that she is out of danger. She has been a good patient and I thank my team for the help," said Rono.

He said it took a team of five doctors one hour to remove the knife lodged on her cheek adding that it had affected vital organs such as blood vessels and nerves.

Abdi Ahmed, Fatuma's nephew said they were grateful those who saved her life.

"I am grateful to the AMREF flying doctors and Kenyatta Hospital doctors who supported her to remove the knife," he said.

AMREF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Githinji Gitahi explained that Fatuma had struggled for six hours to seek help. He said she had to walk for six hours since she lived in a remote and inaccessible village, before she was evacuated by Amref flying doctors.

The mother of three had to walk for 60 kilometres before she was taken to Wajir County Referral Hospital with severe bleeding from the knife wounds.

Doctors in the facility were unable to dislodge the knife which was stuck at her cheek bone and was airlifted to KNH for specialized treatment.

Gitahi thanked Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) for bringing to attention the plight of Fatuma.

"AMREF will work together with county governments on evacuation. Fatuma's case represents other unreported cases of women facing domestic violence," he asserted.

Fatuma Mohammed in her hospital in Wajir County Referral Hospital. She was admitted with a knife lodged in her cheek after her husband stabbed her during a domestic quarrel. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Wajir Women Representative Fatuma Ibrahim, who was there for her namesake, said the county is facing great challenges particularly in delivery of health services.

"The national and county government should work together with other stakeholders like Amref to address emergency needs," said the Women Rep.

She said women are suffering brutal violence in the region adding that domestic violence has been on the rise.

The Women Represenative said Fatuma's husband was arrested and remanded, awaiting to answer charges.

KNH Chief Executive Officer Lilly Koros said the hospital worked closely with the Health Ministry to meet her medical bill.

"Wajir Women Representative also mobilized resources towards her medical bill. We thank Amref for bring her to the hospital for specialized treatment," said Koros.

Gitahi said Fatuma will be taken to Easleigh where she will stay for three or four days with her relatives. She will be later airlifted to Wajir.

"We will take her to stay with her relatives in Eastleigh where she will stay for three or four days. We will then airlift her to Wajir and ensure that she stays in a safe place with her children," Gitahi concluded.