2-year-old boy drinks drain cleaner in Dubai, survives

A two-year-old boy was treated at Medcare Hospital in Dubai after he had accidentally consumed household chemicals commonly used to unclog drains.

Rashed was left with a deformed palate, upper and lower lip, and severe adhesions within the oral cavity. He was admitted to Medcare Hospital two months after receiving first aid at another medical facility.

“A complex series of operations was undertaken to restore the child’s upper and lower lips and the palate. Despite not receiving emergency surgery right around the time of the incident, the operation restored the ability to speak and eat normally on the very first day after the surgery. He has been showing remarkable improvement ever since,” Professor Jehad Al Sukhun, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, said.

Rashed’s father added, “Ten days later he was discharged without any surgical interventions; he lost 4-5 kgs due to an inability to eat and drink properly. Despite being told by several hospitals that his condition was untreatable, we kept faith.”