Taiwan hospital offers Kiribati boy free surgery

According to the statement, the child, Kautabea Teuea, was mauled by nine wild dogs in November 2007 as he struggled to protect his pet dog from their attack.

Although the boy managed to survive the vicious dog attack, the left side of his face was almost torn off and his two ears were bitten off, the statement said.

The gruesome attack caused a stir in Kiribati society after it was reported in the country's news media, the statement said. The Republic of China's embassy in Kiribati later asked Mackay hospital whether it would be willing to provide free treatment or cosmetic surgery for the child, the MOFA added.

In May 2008, Mackay sent a certified plastic surgeon to join a government-backed mobile medical team on a mission to offer free medical services in that country.

The surgeon examined the boy, administered treatment and assessed the feasibility of him having further treatment and plastic surgery in Taipei.

At the end of the day, Mackay agreed to help arrange for the child, accompanied by a Kiribati caregiver, to travel to Taipei to receive cosmetic surgery free of charge. The hospital will also provide free meals and accommodation for both of them during the six-month treatment period.

The child is scheduled to undergo the first phase of plastic surgery Jan. 15 and the whole treatment process is expected to be completed on July 7, the MOFA statement quoted Mackay management as saying.

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