(Issue Tuesday28, June,2016)
One
Aminatta Susso of Serekunda, a nine-year-old girl who was delivered by
Caesarian section due to fetal distress, has been recommended for overseas
treatment.
Latest
patient information on Aminatta states that she is suffering from
encephalomalacia, hypoxic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, and malnutrition.
According
to earlier Medical Board Report from Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital
signed by Dr Samba Ceesay, acting Director of Health Services, Aminatta was
admitted in August 2008 at the paediatric ward of the then Royal Victoria
Teaching Hospital (RVTH) for 14 days and was later discharged on medication.
The
report stated that neurological examination finds no meningeal sign, slight
generalized hypotonia, bilateral Babinski sign, pupils reactive and isochoric,
no ophthalmoplegia, aphasia, trunk ataxia, and slight bilateral horizontal
nistagmus.
On
further investigation, the report stated that CT scan of the brain showed
severe sign of brain atrophy. In both temporo-fronto parietal lobes, there is
large hypodense area with encephalomacy aspect. There are small micro
calcifications in both cerebral hemispheres, mild dilated lateral and third
ventricular.
The
report also stated that there are major modifications of the cerebral
parenchyma with the presence of two poroencephalic caxities temporo-rolandic of
big size, and is symmetric.
The
report, in conclusion, states that “There are signs of encephalic
hypoxi-isequemic as a sequellar.”
It
further stated that the board, after reviewing the case, recommends treatment
with neuroprotectors like somazine 100mg daily.
“Neurological rehabilitation, central nerves system stimulants, are not
presently available in The Gambia. Therefore we recommend overseas treatment,”
the report stated.
The
parents of Aminatta are therefore pleading with the government, private institutions,
philanthropists and the general public to come to the aid of their daughter by
helping them to let the little girl go for overseas treatment.
Aminatta’s
father can be reached on (+220) 9986466.
