Health workers are having great difficulty in adequately managing the burden of serious physical trauma and have noted over 300 cases of displaced patients whose medication has been lost or destroyed when they were forced from their homes.
A high percentage of patients seen in May had fractures, most of which where sustained in attempts to defend their face and upper body from violent attacks with heavy weapons. Cases of pregnant women with injuries resulting from systematic beating to the back and buttocks have resulted in extensive lacerations and bruising. One patient, beaten extensively, was struck in the face and suffered a leak of vitreous humour (the transparent gel-like substance behind the lens of the eye) resulting in blindness. 53 violent deaths were reported up to the end of May but, due to a lack of post mortem examinations being conducted, cases are only rarely confirmed by doctors.
There has been a gross surge in both the quantity and severity of injury. Fracture cases alone increased three-fold in number from April to May. The documented cases speak for themselves in terms of the urgency of the need to stop the violence which is sweeping large areas of the country.
We reiterate the call to cease the use of assault and torture intimidation, victimisation or retribution, a ZADHR official said.
Post published in: News