How long to get to your local clinic?

Lulu, nurse at the CRESS funded Clinic in Mijale, shared this story with us.

Little Nakato and James on arrival in the clinic Lab

Mr. Boboya James, a resident of Korijo IDP – South Sudan (appx 15km away from the CRESS funded Clinic) and a father of Nakato Sibili Poni an eight months old baby girl who was one of a twin told us his story…

“Nakato and her late sister, Barbire were delivered twins early this year BUT sadly after six months, Barbire died of severe anaemia secondary to severe malaria and malnutrition while in the refugee camp as there is NO proper medical help. I had no money and a week after her burial, her mother resorted to excessive drinking of alcohol and seemed not interested in taking a good care of Nakato – she could hardly find time to breastfeed and then ran away. A neighbour helped Nakato with cow’s milk in order for her to survive.

Three weeks later, Nakato developed a sudden episode of on-and-off high grade fever, general body weakness and refusal to feed. I decided to take her to the main health centre in Korijo IDP (appx 1km away). She was tested using Malaria rapid diagnostic test strip (MRDT) because the health facility has no microscope. The laboratory test strip reported positive result for malaria – but this test cannot tell the stage (grade) of the malaria parasites in the blood stream and also can give false positive and negative results. So the clinician prescribed some oral medications for malaria, diarrheoa and to subdue the fever.

I gave her all the prescribed medication but noticed no improvement – I became confused. So I started giving her some oral local herbs for one week. But her condition continue to deteriorate and worsen on daily basis.

A day passed by, and time came for us to receive our irregular food ration in the camp. A friend informed me about the coming of the members of the Baptist Church of Mijale. I decided to carry Nakato along as weak as she was. Everybody was concerned about her condition. We were escorted up to the CRESS UK funded clinic in the heart of Mijale, that took us almost 4 hours walking. We found a white lady in the room who immediately walked out due to the poor condition of my daughter – I guess. But the staff were so kind and kept reassuring us.

Nakato on recovery

Here treatment was quite different. My child was immediately assessed and a blood sample removed for the malaria test using a rare microscope, sugar level tested, haemoglobin level estimated and also stool sample tested. They diagnosed severe malaria, severe dehydration and moderate anaemia.

We were admitted and my daughter was started on the appropriate medications based on her poor condition. Four days later, I was able to RESTORE the lost hope for my lovely baby girl, Nakato.”

He concluded by APPRECIATING the clinic staff for saving the life of his only baby girl and also gave a HUGE word of thanks to the Baptist church of Mijale for taking care of all the treatment bills when there was nobody to help.

Thank you for reading and may God bless you!
Lulu