Sick boy lacks X-ray money
Jul 03, 2007
ALTHOUGH the abandoned three-year- old sick Shaffiq Nyanzi has reduced the habit of eating pieces from his blanket, the vomiting problem has persisted.
By Gladys Kalibbala
ALTHOUGH the abandoned three-year- old sick Shaffiq Nyanzi has reduced the habit of eating pieces from his blanket, the vomiting problem has persisted.
Sister Edith Nkata, a nurse at Mwanamugimu Ward at Mulago Hospital, says Nyanzi vomits whatever food or drink he is given. Since Nyanzi could not contain anything in the stomach, a feeding tube was fixed to enable him feed properly.
“Nyanzi’s vomiting has persisted and the doctor has recommended a Barium Swallow X-ray,†she said.
However reports from the Ward indicate that the specific machine for this type of examination broke down.
Nkata explained that they suspect something to be wrong in Nyanzi’s throat that’s why the check up is necessary to confirm.
“When someone suffers from sores or an infection in the throat, they can leave a scar which will cause obstructions in the throat leading to vomiting whatever goes down the throat,†she explained.
Sources said an alternative machine could be found at Ebenezer or any other private Laboratory Service, adding that the check up costs about sh150,000, which the Ward management lacks.
Nyanzi was abandoned at the hospital about three months ago by his parents and the hospital now cares for him. Nyanzi’s caretakers also change from time to time as people get discharged and others come in. Different mothers who come to nurse their children at the ward have taken care of him.
At the moment, Nalongo who came in the hospital as a Good Samaritan to look after Matia Sebuliba who was also in a bad shape now looks after both of them. A few weeks ago, some Good Samaritans turned up at the ward with clothes and essential commodities for the two children after reading their stories in The New Vision.
ALTHOUGH the abandoned three-year- old sick Shaffiq Nyanzi has reduced the habit of eating pieces from his blanket, the vomiting problem has persisted.
Sister Edith Nkata, a nurse at Mwanamugimu Ward at Mulago Hospital, says Nyanzi vomits whatever food or drink he is given. Since Nyanzi could not contain anything in the stomach, a feeding tube was fixed to enable him feed properly.
“Nyanzi’s vomiting has persisted and the doctor has recommended a Barium Swallow X-ray,†she said.
However reports from the Ward indicate that the specific machine for this type of examination broke down.
Nkata explained that they suspect something to be wrong in Nyanzi’s throat that’s why the check up is necessary to confirm.
“When someone suffers from sores or an infection in the throat, they can leave a scar which will cause obstructions in the throat leading to vomiting whatever goes down the throat,†she explained.
Sources said an alternative machine could be found at Ebenezer or any other private Laboratory Service, adding that the check up costs about sh150,000, which the Ward management lacks.
Nyanzi was abandoned at the hospital about three months ago by his parents and the hospital now cares for him. Nyanzi’s caretakers also change from time to time as people get discharged and others come in. Different mothers who come to nurse their children at the ward have taken care of him.
At the moment, Nalongo who came in the hospital as a Good Samaritan to look after Matia Sebuliba who was also in a bad shape now looks after both of them. A few weeks ago, some Good Samaritans turned up at the ward with clothes and essential commodities for the two children after reading their stories in The New Vision.