Newsletter March 2023

We are so very grateful to you, our wonderful donors for your ongoing support to enable us to continue the lifesaving work being done at the hospital. We share some of the many success stories with you…

Bo Children’s Hospital Dedicated to saving children’s lives

The story of Saidu Swaray

Admitted with Hernia and Malaria

Saidu Swaray is a two years and seven months old male child who lives in Kenema City, eastern part of Sierra Leone (70kms away from Bo), with his mother Wuyata Swaray and his father Joseph Swaray. Joseph Swaray who is the breadwinner of the family has been out of job since he was relieved from his duty from a local NGO (Action Aid) two years ago. Joseph is now only depending on petty trading. Prior to his last admission, Saidu used to be one of the frequently sick children who have benefited a lot from BCH facility.

Saidu’s frequent illness was as a result of both the Umbilical and inguinal hernias that were initially diagnosed at BCH since he was one month old. Saidu’s parents initially denied surgery that was suggested to them by the hospital staff, stated that the child was too small for the operation. One week later, Saidu fell sick again with vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and so many other clinical features, and was taken to a PHU in Kenema for treatment with the fear that BCH will still recommend surgery of which they were afraid. After three days at the PHU in admission, there was no improvement and the Doctor in charge also advised them to have surgery.

The Doctor immediately referred them to BCH for an urgent herniorrhaphy. On arrival at BCH, the following observations were made: abdominal pain, fever (mild) swelling on the umbilicus, swelling in right inguinal region. With all the physical examinations and laboratory investigations, the following diagnoses were made: Umblical hernia Inguinal hernia, Malaria. Saidu was admitted for an Herniorrhaphy with all pre and post operative care. The operation was a success and photos show Saidu immediately after the surgery and on his way home after a full recovery.

The Story of Amadu Sheriff

Admitted with Malaria

Amadu Sheriff is a two year old male child who lives with both parents, Dauda Sheriff (Father) and Nancy Sheriff(Mother) in Kenema city, eastern part of Sierra Leone (70 kms from Bo city). Dauda who is the bread winner of the family only depends on petty trading and it is most times very difficult to get a daily meal. The poor standard of living cannot be over emphasized. However, according to the parents, Amadu was initially taken to the Kenema government hospital with the following complaints: fever, poor appetite and palmar pallor. Amadu was admitted for over two weeks and transfused three times during admission at the hospital.

Due to the poor management, no improvement and too much request for extra money by the hospital staff, it left the parents with no option but to leave. They went to the traditional healer with the idea that there was a witch craft chasing their child. After few days spent with traditional treatment with no improvement, a beneficiary of BCH advised them to take Amadu to BCH for further investigations and management. On arrival the following signs and symptoms were presented: Severe pallor and pale conjunctiva, high grade fever, abdominal pain and distension. After all investigations including complete blood count, urinalysis, and stool mycroscopy, the following diagnoses were made: S/malaria 2nd to S/anemia, typhoid fever, Sickle cell disease, high blood sugar(RBS -14mmo/l),Giardiasis. Few abnormalities were also found in the urine like Proteins++,Blood++ .The following treatments were given: Transfused compatible whole blood, Iv Ceftriaxone, Iv Artesunate, Iv PCM, Syrup Hb, folic acid, Metronidazole, regular RBS Monitory Amadu spent one week at Bo Children’s Hospital before he recovered and was discharged home.

The Story of Haja Mamie Sannoh

Admitted with staphylococcus infection and severe malaria

Haja Mamie Sannoh is a four month old female child who lives with her mother Fatmata Sannoh in a small village called Bandajuma (Tikonko chiefdom, Bo district) 60 kms away from Bo. Fatmata who happened to be the sole breadwinner of her family which includes five children, herself and her old mother, she depends only on stone mining to feed her family. Haja was brought to Bo Children’s Hospital by her mother with the following clinical features: large blisters on the head and neck, high grade fever and irritability. Based on the brief medical history taken and physical examination, the blisters had started appearing a week ago, but the mother was advised by an elder in the village to see the native doctor for proper investigations and management. After two days of traditional management, Haja’s health situation continued to worsen and the size of the blisters continued to increase and spread and started producing puss, together with a high fever and irritation.

Her mother Fatmata, was advised by a beneficiary of BCH to take her daughter there for further investigations and management. Due to Fatmata’s poor economic status, she initially refused to take her daughter to BCH because she said she could not afford the hospital bill, but the beneficiary told her that BCH is a community hospital and has so much consideration to vulnerable children. Those courageous words prompted Fatmata to take Haja to BCH immediately. Some of the laboratory investigations were complete blood count (FBC) and stool microscopy. The diagnosis was Staphylococcus infection and severe malaria. After ten days on antibiotics, Haja was later successfully discharged home without paying any bill to the hospital.

The story of Fatmata Vandy

Admitted with a Femoral hernia

Ten year old Fatmata Vandy was brought to Bo Childrens Hospital with a complaint of severe abdominal pain, restlessness, femoral pain and swelling. According to the brief medical history from Fatmata’s father, Ibrahim Vandy, Fatmata has been suffering from this pain intermittently since she was 8 years of age. They have been visiting so many health facilities and hospitals for the same condition, but all efforts remained futile. However, one of the hospitals they visited UMC Mercy Hospital confirmed with an ultra-sound scanning that the child has femoral hernia and asked the parents for surgery, but the father refused stating that his daughter was too small for a surgical operation since he was not knowledgeable enough about the operation.

Fatmata’s mother took her daughter back to a traditional healer, she believed that the child’s poor health condition could only be managed traditionally. Fatmata spent about seven days with the native doctor but her condition continued to worsen. Interestingly enough, the native doctor who happened to be a beneficiary of BCH later recommended the facility for proper investigations and management. The Parents wasted no time and brought Fatmata to BCH. On arrival at BCH an ultra-sound scan confirmed a Femoral hernia. The surgery was a success and Fatmata was discharged with oral medications.

Scotch College 10km Walk Fundraiser

Once again, our wonderful supporters at Scotch College have had a fundraiser 10 Km walk for Bo Childrens Hospital, organised by Form Teachers, Mr Peter Riley (who spent some of his childhood in Sierra Leone) and Mr Hamish Cox. The walk took place at Point Nepean National Park on the 26th of November, 2022, successfully raising over $2,000 dollars for the hospital.

Many parents of the boys also participated and helped to prepare a BBQ lunch afterwards at the park. BCH would like to thank everyone who helped to make this fundraiser such a success. We are very grateful to Scotch College for their very generous donation and ongoing support, they are truly making a difference to the healthcare of children in Bo and surrounding districts.

Solar Freezer

The District Medical Officer, Dr Masuba donated a Solar Freezer to the Hospital for cooling vaccine that is used by the EPI team. The freezer has greatly assisted the nursing team when delivering vaccines both in the hospital and to remote villages. It has been installed and is functioning well.

Oxygen Cylinder

Dr Muctarr Jalloh, the Hospital Consultant Paediatrician, delivered an additional oxygen cylinder for patient use. We have oxygen concentrators that need to be run by diesel which is very costly with the current inflation rates. The cylinders operate independently saving on fuel and are refuelled at Bo Government Hospital.