Meet Htoo, an 11-month-old baby boy from a village in Burma. He lives with his parents, sister, and his grandmother on a small piece of land that his grandmother owns.
When Htoo was four days old, he developed a high fever and stroke-like symptoms. His mother took him to their local hospital, where Htoo was admitted and given intravenous medication over eight days before he was discharged.
At four months of age, Htoo’s mother noticed that his head was growing abnormally on the left side. She took Htoo back to the hospital and was given prescriptions for specialized medication. However, Htoo’s head continued to swell.
Htoo’s mother took him to a private clinic to seek help. Doctors at the clinic referred Htoo to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Htoo’s mother traveled with her son for five days to reach our medical partner’s care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, in Thailand.
Before Htoo can be treated, he needs to undergo a CT scan. This will give his doctors a clear diagnosis and help them develop a treatment plan. Htoo’s family needs $693 to fund this scan, scheduled for March 3.
“I am unable to pay attention to my older daughter because Htoo takes up so much of my time,” shares Htoo’s mother. “I can’t help my mother with the farm or my husband with his work, so I feel that I am not being a good mother or a good wife. I hope for the future for my child just that he will be like a normal boy.”