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General News of Saturday, 18 November 2023

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

#GhanaWeb4Good: Help 7-month-old Jasper get his holes in heart treated in India

Baby Jasper will not be able to live long without support from the public Baby Jasper will not be able to live long without support from the public

HOW IT ALL STARTED

When Jasper was born on the 23/04/23, everything seemed fine until he was admitted 9 days after birth for what was diagnosed then as NEO-NATAL SEPSIS. After some 4 days, he was discharged.

However, as the days went by he started twitching in the eyes and jittering at feet occasionally. His parents thought it was peculiar to him until his first episode of convulsion happened on the eve of 10/05/23, taking them back to the hospital again.

As the episodes of convulsion kept occurring beyond control throughout the night, they were REFERRED the next day to a bigger facility for advanced treatment.

After several tests (at Lancet and at the hospitals lab) and treatment, Jasper was discharged after more than 3 weeks in NICU with a diagnosis of pneumonia, meningitis, paediatric endocrine disorder (hypocalcemia) and enlarged heart.

Further labs were done at Lancet and submitted for review at KRH, a week after being discharged; After which his parents were directed to ST LUKE CARDIAC CLINIC for further examination.

THE DIAGNOSIS

On the 29/06/2023 at the St Luke Hospital, it was confirmed by medical technology that Jasper has 3 holes in his heart with the largest being at the middle of the heart.

Not just that, It was found out on 4/11/23 by a top Endocrinologist that the underlying endocrine disorder causing all that is, DiGeorge Syndrome and hypo parathyroidism.

PROPOSED TREATMENT

Though the other 2 small holes MAY close on it own, the large one at the very center of the heart, PERIMEMBRANEOUS VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECTS (PMVSD) will require a NECESSARY SURGICAL REPAIR before April 2024 whereas the endocrine disorder will need some medication and therapy.

COST

To surgically repair the heart and tackle the Endocrine disorder, it will cost between £15,000 to £20,000

HEALTH FACILITIES VISITED

So far, health facilities have been visited namely ASAMANKESE DISTRICT HOSPITAL, KOFORIDUA REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND ST.LUKE CARDIAC CLINIC,ACCRA, LITTLE HEARTS, BOG HOSPITAL, PREMIER HEALTH CARE SERVICE.

WHAT EFFORT HAS BEEN PUT IN SO FAR

Thus far, through the financial effort of parent, family and some well wishers, several thousands of Ghana Cedis has been spent on JASPER from his first time hospitalization till even NOW.

WHY PARENTS NEEDS HELP

The amount Of money involved is huge and raising that is impossible without EXTERNAL HELP.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T SUPPORT?

Jasper requires an immediate treatment which can be made possible by generous people like you.

The heart keeps enlarging with frequent occurrence of Broncho pneumonia. Things can get worse without your support.

Kindly call Rita Arkhurst to verify, donate or enquire on 0506699177.

Please Donate to save a life. Thanks!



About GhanaWeb4Good

GhanaWeb4Good forms part of GhanaWeb's social responsibility programmes
GhanaWeb, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, has introduced the GhanaWeb4Good initiative.

The initiative is aimed at bringing help to those in need in remote areas of Ghana.

It captures news stories and videos produced by journalists and correspondents highlighting the plights of the needy Ghanaians.

Through this, persons with various challenges who ordinarily will not get coverage and the help they need, will get the platform to reach the appropriate quarters.