A young Nigerian hairstylist from Rivers State, Nagi Susan Chizhim, has been battling rhinoscleroma, a rare chronic bacterial infection that affects the nose and upper respiratory tract, for the past 20 years. The condition has now spread to her eyes, but she has refused to let it stop her from working.
Susan, who is from Ahoada East Local Government Area, continues to style hair despite the physical challenges and the stares and gossip from people around her.
“Most of them go gossip me for back. But for my front, some people go, maybe sounds like Jesus Christ. Some go, look you, you get. Everybody go, they look you,” she told BBC News Pidgin in a recent interview.
“Me too, I don’t really care because I go about my day. I just go. If you look me too, I look you small, we pass.”
What is rhinoscleroma?
Rhinoscleroma is a rare granulomatous disease caused by the bacterium Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. It is more common in tropical areas, including parts of Africa such as Nigeria. The disease begins with nasal discharge, progresses to swelling and blockage, and can lead to scarring and deformity. In 10 to 18 percent of cases, it spreads to the eyes, and in some cases to the larynx or trachea.
Susan’s condition has already affected her eyes. She recalled how it all began.
“I noticed something grew inside my eye, very small. At that time, my parents tried to treat it but we didn’t know it was a nasal condition causing the issue. Finally, after all the tests, doctors did a biopsy and said the rhinoscleroma condition would grow to those points and that I would need proper surgery because a whole lot was already happening inside the eyes.”
She went to the Federal Medical Centre in Bayelsa, where doctors referred her to India for specialist treatment. The estimated cost of the surgery is ₦30 million.
Despite the hardship, Susan says her work speaks for her.
“When they see my work, they say, ‘Ah, she tried for the work,’ and they want to patronize me. So they forget the thing on my face and look at my work. My work is okay. I forget about the condition, except when I look in the mirror.”
She remains hopeful. “I believe I will achieve everything, even with the condition. The remaining ones, I believe I will achieve by the grace of God.”
Her account details have been shared on social media for those who wish to help: Susan Chizhim, Fidelity Bank, 6328101813.
