An Oxford-based surgeon has carried out life changing-surgery on a five-year-old football fan whose legs started to bow at the age of two.
Malang from Senegal had his life transformed by international surgical charity Mercy Ships.
After multiple attempts at seeking medical aid in his home country, all of which proved to be unfruitful, Mercy Ships came to Malang's rescue.
Sadio, Malang's father, said: "It was tough for him to walk.
"I was very sad when I saw Malang walking like that.
"Sometimes his friends would run and leave him behind, and he'd cry."
His parents could not find a surgeon who could perform the necessary operation and looking for help was financially challenging.
News of possible surgery through Mercy Ships reached Malang's family through a neighbour.
Malang was cleared for the life-transforming surgery onboard the Global Mercy, the hospital ship of Mercy Ships docked in Dakar, Senegal.
British orthopaedic consultant, Dr Rachel Buckingham, who was volunteering on board, met Malang there.
She said: "It would have got worse over time.
"He would have been severely limited in his walking ability."
Dr Buckingham and her team started to treat him with vitamin D and straightened his legs through a complex surgery.
Dr Buckingham said: "The impact of the surgery will be huge.
"It means that he will be able to run around and play with his friends more readily.
"He'll be able to obtain an education.
"Coming here, you notice some stark differences in the lack of surgical care.
"Back home, they would never be able to get to that point because we would have treated them in early life."
Ka Dieye from Senegal, a day crewmember and translator in the hospital, said: "Three days after his surgery, he wants to play football.
"Can you imagine that?
"And when he was in the intensive care unit, he started walking. He was very happy."
Malang's father said: "It really touches my heart so deeply.
"I want him to become someone in the world."
It is estimated that five billion people globally lack access to safe surgical care – and that approximately 1.7 billion of those are children.
This burden is felt especially heavily in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly half the population is under 18.
A 2021 study that took place in four sub-Saharan African nations found that 60-90 per cent of patients in need of surgery would face "catastrophic" costs if they went through with the operation.
Surgeons like Dr Buckingham not only perform surgeries but also mentor and train surgeons on board so that partner nations, such as Senegal, can strengthen their health system.
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