George is a two-month-old baby boy from Kenya, and the third born child in his family. When he was born, doctors informed his mother that he had two conditions; spina bifida, a neural tube birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly, and hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure.
Upon discharge from the hospital, the family was referred to the national referral hospital, where George underwent successful spinal repair surgery when he was a week old. For two months, George was progressing well until recently when he started convulsing. A friend advised his mother to bring him to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH).
George underwent several tests at BKKH, and it was established that he needed an ETV procedure to treat the hydrocephalus. While waiting for the scheduled surgery date, George started convulsing again and his mother rushed him back to hospital. He was scheduled for an urgent procedure, but his family is unable to afford the cost of treatment. “I feel like we should just go back home and look for money before we come back,” she says, wiping her tears. When George convulses, her heart breaks into a million pieces. Torn between the cost of treatment and her son’s well-being is a mother who wishes for a miracle.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for George that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 6th and will drain the excess fluid from George’s brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, George will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy.
“Seeing my son convulse has been the most difficult moment of motherhood for me. I hope that this surgery will end the convulsions,” George’s mother says.
