Dear friends and supporters of Toro Babies Home,
We are immensely grateful to you for making possible little Suzanne’s expensive hernia surgery, the travel and accommodation expenses of the three people accompanying her to Kampala. The unforeseen medical emergencies pose a great financial and personnel challenge for us, which we cannot cope with alone under the circumstances in Uganda.
Suzanne
Suzanne’s lengthy medical history began long before she was admitted to Toro Babies Home. She came to us at the Babies Home at the age of 8 months. As time went on, we discovered that she had an umbilical hernia. We visited several hospitals, but were assured that she would be fine. Later, the same hospitals, particularly Buhinga Hospital in Fort Portal, informed us that they could not treat Suzanne and referred us to Nsambya Hospital in Kampala, where Suzanne and her caretaker were admitted from 07-09-2023. The driver and accompanying matron from Toro Babies Home stayed in a guest house near the hospital.
Physical examination at Nsambya Hospital, Kampala on 07.09.2023
On admission, Suzanne weighed 10 kg and had a severely swollen umbilicus associated with pain, irritability, vomiting, and most importantly, a hernia.
After the above examinations, other tests were performed, such as an MRI of the brain.
Comprehensive blood tests were performed, such as blood count, HIV/AIDS, malaria and many others, kidney tests, eye tests.
Results of the examinations
Malaria parasites could not be found, but Suzanne had fever, which was treated accordingly. HIV was negative, some parts of Suzanne’s brain are underdeveloped, cough, sores in and on the eyes, malnutrition, visual impairment.
Doctors’ recommendation
Nutritional counseling, continuous physical exercises, continuation of RUTF treatment (RUTF is a ready-to-use therapeutic food. It is an energy-dense micronutrient paste made of peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil, vitamins, and minerals), treatment of the eyes, and continued monthly visits to the hospital for rehabilitation and stimulation of the eyes and speech therapy.
Expectations from the recommendation
After the dietary changes, exercises and eye treatment, the child should be able to walk and adapt to the environment. The wounds in the eye will heal, which will help to see a little and the itching of the eyes and lips will stop.
Thanks very much. It is wonderful that we can rely so much on you and your quick help, especially in emergencies.
