Six-year-old Resego Lekgema, after surviving a devastating house fire and months of intensive care, is now making a remarkable recovery
Photo Cred: Netcare | Supplied

Six-year-old Resego Lekgema, after surviving a devastating house fire and months of intensive care, is now making a remarkable recovery thanks to the dedicated efforts of South African healthcare professionals.

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (29 June 2024) – South Africa’s healthcare professionals continue to demonstrate exceptional skill and dedication, as exemplified by the heartwarming story of Resego Lekgema, a young girl whose life they have fought tirelessly to save.

Six-year-old Resego was rescued from a devastating house fire, with over half of her body severely burnt. For months, she battled for her life in the specialised paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital.

Now, after six months of intensive care and rehabilitation, Resego is on the path to recovery, a journey that seemed nearly impossible just months ago.

“When Resego was admitted to the PICU at Netcare Waterfall City Hospital in October last year, she had burns covering almost 60% of her total body surface area and 10% inhalation burns inside her lungs,” says paediatric intensivist Dr Palesa Monyake.

Placed on an oscillator machine to support her breathing, Resego received care from a multidisciplinary team, including Dr Monyake, paediatric pulmonologist Dr Vered Lack, and the devoted nursing staff. They began the meticulous process of treating her burns and combating the constant threat of infection.

“Resego had a very difficult road, but from the start, she showed incredible tenacity. Her body’s immune system was in shock, and she developed sepsis and multiorgan failure, which are unfortunately fairly common with severe burns. Several times, we feared for her life, but somehow she pulled through,” Dr Monyake recalls.

After five arduous months in the hospital, the staff celebrated Resego’s progress with a party. She was finally well enough to be discharged for the next phase of her recovery.

“In late February, when she was breathing well and could eat, Resego was transferred to us at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital,” says Professor Andre Mochan, a neurologist at the facility. “After being so ill, Resego’s lungs, heart, liver, and other organs were affected, and from being confined to bed for so long, we needed to help her rebuild her muscles and regain her functioning. The burn scars on her face, limbs, and trunk also needed to be carefully managed.”

Initially, Resego was scared, anxious, and withdrawn, making it challenging to gain her trust. However, her care team’s persistence paid off.

“Soon, our perseverance was rewarded, and she has turned out to be a happy little chatterbox. She’s been an absolute angel and the most cheerful child on the ward,” Prof Mochan says.

Jessica Erasmus, an occupational therapist at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, shares how they helped Resego open up.

“My first three days with Resego were primarily aimed at getting a little smile out of her. It wasn’t easy to draw her out of her shell at first, but our dance parties really helped her to open up to us. We soon discovered she has a very playful nature, she’s always engaged, and she’s making good progress so far.”

With therapies like physiotherapy, scar massage, and the use of pressure garments and splints, Resego continues to make significant strides.

Six-year-old Resego Lekgema, after surviving a devastating house fire and months of intensive care, is now making a remarkable recovery
Photo Cred: Netcare | Supplied

Her mother, Rebaone, expressed profound gratitude to the specialists, nurses, and health practitioners who have been instrumental in Resego’s recovery.

“We have been supported with kindness and prayers, and our hearts are full of thanks for the recovery Resego has made. Every day she is getting better, and our prayers have been answered,” says the family from Delareyville Atamelang in the North West.

“We, Resego’s parents, would like to thank you all for saving Resego’s life, from the positivity and honesty you showed you made us stronger than we were. Resego’s situation showed us that life is a rollercoaster. Through our prayer, your dedication, and sleepless nights, we thank you and may God bless you more to keep on serving and saving our people. We love you.”

“Resego is doing so well. To see how far she has come and knowing all that she has been through, it is an absolute miracle to see her smile now,” Dr Monyake concludes.

Resego’s journey is a shining example of the extraordinary dedication and skill of South Africa’s healthcare workers, who go above and beyond to save lives and bring hope to families in their darkest hours.


Sources: Netcare 
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Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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