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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Tuesday, 5 October, 2004, 07:39 GMT 08:39 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Tackling oil burns in Nigeria By Sam Olukoya Okada, Edo State, south-western Nigeria Most of the hundreds of Nigerians who are badly burnt in oil pipeline fires each year, have to live with their deformity for life due to the absence of local medical personnel and facilities needed to carry out reconstructive surgeries. Children are undergoing corrective surgery But the Edo State government in south-western Nigeria has found a way around this by flying in medical experts from the United States to operate. In early 2001, a deadly mix of kerosene and petrol was sold to the public. Lanterns and stoves exploded in homes across the state, leaving about 400 people with serious burns. Now, 36 of the worst affected victims are being given operations in the theatre of the Igbinedion University teaching hospital in Okada. The initiative is a partnership between the Edo State government and a Lagos based non-governmental organisation called the Body Enhancement And Reconstructive Surgery Foundation (Bears). Head of the foundation Modupe Ozolua says the surgeries are aimed at correcting major difficulties with speech and movement. "The objective was to have these people function as properly as possible... and also bring as much hope as possible." Life is gradually changing for the better for the beneficiaries of the surgeries. Walk Ten-year-old Jude Ogbogbo could not stand up, let alone walk after severe burns fused his legs together. Helen Adarighefua, who has had to physically carry Jude about since the incident occurred, is happy that the surgery will make her cousin walk again. "It was not an easy thing carrying a 10-year-old boy all around," she said "Even though I felt the pain, I have the joy now that with this surgery, something will be done, and he can walk," she said. "Right now, at least the leg is stretched now and he can stand - yesterday he was able to stand." Plans Facilities for reconstructive surgeries are not readily available in Nigeria and the cost of treatment abroad is prohibitive, so the initiative of flying in experts from the United States is ideal. A flying visit enables the costs to be kept as low as possible The surgeries cost a total of $1m and Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion says they plan to bring in more experts from abroad in the future. "They are not coming only to do plastic surgery, they are coming to teach our people how to carry out plastic surgery," he said. If the Edo State Government initiative works out, it may be a cue for other state governments where a large number of fire victims need reconstructive surgery. The number runs into thousands. Most of them have sustained severe burns during oil pipeline fires. The latest incident occurred in Lagos two weeks ago when more than 30 people lost their lives. 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