One family from in Mwala sub-county of Machakos County are appealing to well-wishers for financial help to enable their one-year-old son to undergo a liver transplant.
Damaris Mbinya, the boy's mother, narrated to this writer on Thursday that when she gave birth to her son Emmanuel Gathogo he was full of life.
After holding her 3kg bundle of joy with so much happiness, she was discharged as the baby seemed fine. However, after going home a few days later, her son's eyes started turning yellow.
"I took my son back to the hospital but the doctor told me his condition isn't that bad to warrant his admission, I was told to go back with him and ensure he gets enough sunlight," she narrated.
Damaris who works as the nurse in charge of Kavumbu Dispensary said that her son's condition worsened as days and weeks went by but the doctor insisted the baby needed enough sunlight.
After three months the condition persisted, Damaris visited Kenyatta hospital to seek a second opinion.
After an MRI scan, she was told that her little boy had an underdeveloped bile duct and his bile juice wasn't being drained to the intestines.
"My son was operated on and after some time we were allowed to go home and continue going for the clinic, however in November last year we were told that the bile juice had burnt the liver thus needing a liver transplant," she narrated.
After tests, Damaris' blood was found compatible with that of her son and so she is the suitable liver donor to her son who is scheduled to undergo the surgery at Max Hospital in India this month.
The procedure would cost the family at least Sh4.5 million.
"My operation plus the baby will cost Sh4.5 million and that's why we are appealing to the government, friends and well-wishers to lend us a hand so that we may save the life of my son," said Damaris.
She said that the National health insurance fund offered to pay only half a million shillings thus leaving the more burden to the family.
Well-wishers can donate to paybill number 515210 or contact the mother through 0720630480.
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