TWO young people from the Democratic Republic of Congo are recovering “remarkably well” after undergoing life-changing surgery to remove jaw tumours.
Dundee-born Dr Keith Thomson, a retired anaesthetist, launched a mission to take Sarah Lemba, 23, and Hugues Lilonga, 27, to neighbouring Uganda for treatment, as no surgeons had the skills to help them in their own country.
The operations – which took 10 hours each and involved rebuilding the jaw using bone taken from the leg – were carried out around two weeks ago.
The pair were released from hospital last week and are now staying with a pastor in Uganda as they continue to be monitored by medics.
Dr Thomson, who lives in Berkshire and is a trustee with the hospital ship charity Mercy Ships, said: “The operation has gone remarkably well.
“They underwent a 10-hour operation carried out by Dr George Galiwango and there have been no complications. He saw them on Friday and he is happy with their progress.”
A fundraising appeal to enable Sarah and Hugues to undergo surgery was highlighted by the Sunday Post last month.
Sarah was branded a witch and left begging in the streets because of the deformity affecting her jaw.
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