How NGO Rescues Baby Born With Blocked Intestine

Baby Emmanuel Sunday was born three months ago with a serious anomaly which threatened his life. All efforts by his poor parents to treat him were not successful. As they contemplated the next step to take, Caring Heart Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) launched a free medical clinic in their hometown Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The couple decided to take him to the clinic where the doctors declared his condition critical and referred him to the Federal Teaching Hospital (FETH) Abakaliki for emergency attention. He was two months old at the time, and his health had deterioriated.

A sponsor of the Caring Heart Foundation, Linus Okorie, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, on hearing of the boy’s condition, quickly mobilised an ambulance to rush him to the hospital.

That timely intervention saved Little Emmanuel, according to doctors at the hospital. The boy was diagnosed with intussusception or blockage of the small intestine. This seriously affected blood supply to the affected areas. The condition was considered life-threatening and required urgent surgical intervention.

The surgery was carried out on February 18, 2018 and reported successful to the collective relief and joy of his parents and the Caring Heart team.

He was to be discharged on the 24rd of February, I was alerted to the fact that Emmanuel was to be discharged the next day being 24th.. But alas, that was not to be. Before the 24th, Mr Okorie was jolted by the terrifying news that Emmanuel’s stitches suddenly broke and his entire guts or intestines spilled out of his bowels. This was a devastating blow and a huge shock to everyone.

“Accordingly, he was rushed back into the theater and operated on again. For days he was in excruciating pain and cried uncontrollably. Worst of all, he was unable to take anything including the mother’s breast milk. Those were days of extreme anguish and worry for all of us involved in his case,” said Okorie in a chat with our Reporter.

Gradually, Emmanuel recovered and has been discharged. After a comprehensive assessment, the medics said he has fully recovered and was in good health.

Coincidentally, the day he was discharged was the birthday of his benefactor, Linus Okorie who single-handedly footed the bills for his double surgery and sundry expenses.

Also, Mr Okorie in his own reaction said the discharge of Emmanuel is the best birthday gift for him.

“Join us in rejoicing with Master Emmanuel Sunday and his entire family for the gift of life and health. I thank all of you, good people, for your prayers and goodwill for Emmanuel’s recovery over this past month. Permit that I particularly appreciate the Amurt Foundation (especially its Dr Agu), Caring Heart programme contact person, Onyekachi Ani, FETHA Medical team and Emmanuel’s mother who went through the entire trauma”.

“Team caring heart would be full satisfied even if Master Emmanuel’s recovery ends up the only success of our programmed 10 month sojourn across our ten clans in the federal constituency. His life, which God allowed the privilege of contributing to is worth more than all the money in this world and every effort and commitment to the entire outreach programme,” Okorie added.

“As we programme berths this Sunday March 18, 2018 at Ugwulangwu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Mr Okorie appealed for participation and support of all stakeholders to make it another success.

“We must encourage all those requiring medical attention within Ugwulangwu to come out enmass to avail the opportunity presented by the programme,” he said.

[By The Nation]