A Week of Pediatric Pneumonia at FAME
When five-month-old John* started coughing uncontrollably and was struggling to breathe, his worried mum knew she needed to do something. She had taken him to a local dispensary a couple of days before, but sadly there had not been any improvement. If anything, his health was declining rapidly. She knew of a bajaji (auto rickshaw) driver in her neighborhood, and she called him to see if he could help. Luckily, the driver was nearby and drove her and little John to Karatu town from their village. Unfortunately, with the heavy rains in Karatu this season, the bajaji driver could not get on the muddy road to FAME. He told her that he was sorry, but Karatu town was the furthest he could go. She had no choice but to alight and take a boda boda (motorbike) to FAME.
“I had a million thoughts running through my head. I was scared for my child, and more so of riding on the boda boda with all the turbulent wind blowing in our faces. I tried to cover John as much as I could, as I knew if I didn't get him to FAME, he would not survive.” - John’s mother
When they arrived at FAME, little John was taken straight to the emergency room. He was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia which included difficulty breathing and heavy coughing, additionally he had a high fever and persistent vomiting. After five nights at the inpatient ward, little John was well enough to go home and see his three older siblings.
John poses with his happy mama
“I want to say thank you to the doctors and nurses, and to everyone at FAME. We have had a good experience here; the service was top notch and they delivered the medicine on time. The medical personnel have been very attentive and monitored John all through. They answered all my questions, and there were many questions! It is my prayer that the doctors and nurses continue working together seamlessly. Finally, John can breastfeed, he wasn’t feeding well before. Thank you FAME!”
John’s mother is no stranger to FAME. She delivered two of her babies here and continues to bring them to FAME for the baby clinic.
“FAME has been good to me. It's a bit far from my house, so not always easy to get to but so worth it! Asante (Thank you) FAME for everything.”
In the week that John was admitted to the inpatient ward at FAME, we had four other children in the inpatient ward also suffering from bacterial pneumonia. Luckily, they all got better and were able to go back home to their families.
Michael poses with his mama
One of the other children at the ward suffering from bacterial pneumonia was one-year-old Michael*. Just like John, he had a severe dry cough for a week, was running a fever, had loose stool and chills.
“I took a taxi to FAME when his coughing got worse and his high fever could not break. At FAME they told me he had bacterial pneumonia and he would have to be admitted and watched overnight, while they administered antibiotics. I was relieved that they knew what the problem was, and that they were treating it. The doctors took very good care of us.” - Michael’s Mother
After four nights, Michael was able to return home, healthy.
“Michael is my first and only child, so every little thing scares me! This was our first time sleeping in a hospital, and I’m so thankful to FAME for the good service, the cleanliness of the wards, and the friendliness of the staff. It all made such a scary experience much better.”
*While the patients’ name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share their photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.