How Covid-19 is devastating children’s care
The heart-breaking contrast between Allan and Joseph’s stories demonstrate why Kids Operating Room is needed now more than ever.
Nine-year-old Allan was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s Disease in February, just before Covid restrictions were put in place. His condition had become life-threatening but he was able to travel straight away from his home to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda for a life-saving operation in a Kids Operating Room facility. Just four days later he was back where he belongs: at home with his family and playing with his friends.
Lockdown was already in place when six-year-old Joseph was diagnosed with the same condition. Orphaned at a very early age, Joseph was raised by his grandmother. She waited two weeks for the travel permit she needed to take him for medical help. But the irregular bus service meant that their journey was delayed even further and, by the time he reached hospital, his condition had become too severe to operate. Joseph died a needless death from a treatable condition.
This story is being repeated all over Africa as the pandemic continues. Installing and equipping more operating rooms will bring life-saving care closer to home for children in desperate need of our help.