Fatshimetrie: An avoidable tragedy, the sad story of Tembo’s children
In the landlocked region of Tembo, in the village of Ndomba Tumba, in the province of Kwango, a tragedy recently shook the local community. Three children died after consuming the intestines of a Gambian rat, a species of rodent also known as the savannah beetle. Their father, a hunter, had killed the rat and his children had eaten the animal without suspecting the tragic consequences that would follow.
According to information collected from the Kwango civil society consultation framework, at least five children of the hunter were exposed to this game. Two of them were saved thanks to anti-poison treatment. Symphorien Kwengo, vice-president of civil society, stressed that the father had used Ratox, a toxic product intended to eliminate rats, to kill the animal.
This tragedy could have been avoided if adequate awareness of the dangers of consuming potentially contaminated game had been carried out. It is important to remind rural communities of basic food security measures to avoid such dramatic situations. Awareness campaigns on the risks associated with the consumption of meat from wild game must be carried out regularly to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
In this isolated area, access to health and information services is limited, which makes it all the more important for local authorities and civil society organizations to inform and educate the population on good practices. food. Encouraging responsible hunting and consumption practices is crucial to ensuring the food security and health of rural communities.
This infamous story of the children of Tembo should serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of prevention and education in public health. By working together to raise awareness and promote healthy eating behaviors, we can help prevent such tragedies and protect the lives of our children.