By KT Reporter
Two survivors of a lightning strike in Nyendo-Mukungwe division, Masaka city, are languishing with injuries after their discharge from the hospital.
Sserinya Community Primary School was struck by lightning last month, resulting in the death of a teacher and leaving fourteen others injured. The deceased, Ponsiono Mutaawe, was struck alongside 14 other victims who included eleven pupils and two female teachers.
All the victims were admitted to St Joseph’s Hospital Kitovu, where they were discharged days later.
However, the two victims, Florence Nambalirwa, the Head teacher and Rosemary Nakkazi, an English teacher, are still struggling to recover from the lightning strike.
Nambarirwa suffered paralysis on the left side of her body, and she is currently walking with the support of crutches because her ligaments were affected. She indicates that the doctors advised her to carry out neurological tests for further specialised management to aid full recovery, but she has not sought the services due to financial limitations.
Besides the bodily pain, Nambabirwa is still struggling to manage the strange rashes and irritations of the skin, which resulted from the lightning strike.
Another victim, Rosemary Nakkazi, says that the lightning strike affected her eyesight, which she has not fully recovered from a month later.
Despite being discharged, she says she still suffers crippling headaches, intermittent body aches and psychological trauma due to the death of her colleague.
Nakazzi indicates that the doctors advised her to take a lot of fluids and fruits to support her recovery, but she says that the process is slow.
But Joseph Yiga, the Director of the school, says they are doing everything possible to stabilise the situation, indicating that victims have been steadily improving.
According to him, besides the required medical attention, he has considered enrolling the victims for psychological support to stabilise their minds from the shock.
On the other hand, he has installed lightning arresters on the classroom blocks to guarantee the safety of the school from similar eventualities.
Meanwhile, Michael Mulindwa Nakumusana, the Nyendo-Mukungwe division Chairperson, says the incident is a wake-up call for all schools to put in place safeguards and mitigation measures-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
