Gifts in Action
The difference that tetanus vaccinations can make…
Hosam is 23 and works in Edfu, Egypt, providing a carriage service with his horse Meseeda. He earns only 95p a day, and was often tempted to work Meseeda harder, carrying more customers to earn a little more money.
However, one day Hosam drove Meseeda too hard, and she lost her footing and fell down in the dusty road. She was badly injured and was at risk of contracting tetanus – a devastating disease which attacks the nerves controlling the body’s muscles. This means affected horses and donkeys cannot eat or drink, become very sensitive to light, touch and noise, and may struggle to breathe. Without veterinary care they will die.
Luckily Hosam knew of the Brooke and hurried to the nearest clinic with Meseeda, where Dr Ahmed gave the injured horse anti-serum drugs to protect her against tetanus, as the main way in which tetanus enters the body is through open wounds.
Dr Ahmed commented: “Tetanus is very painful and would most probably have ended the life of this animal. We deliver prevention messages in our training sessions, as well as training for community animal health workers.”
Dr. Ahmed gave Meseeda painkillers and administered a sedative so he was able to examine her wounds easily and quickly. The vet also advised Hosam to drive his carriage more carefully, and to look after Meseeda – as she is his only source of income.
Soon Meseeda’s wound was cleaned and bandaged – and Hosam understood the importance of not working his precious horse too hard.