Baraka P., 7

Baraka is a 7-year-old boy and the youngest in a family of five. He is in Grade 3 at a local primary school in a rural area. Despite difficult living conditions, he is cheerful, hardworking, and enjoys football and school activities. He dreams of becoming a teacher to support his family and help children in his community. His mother depends on a small-scale business earning about KES 2,500 monthly to support the family. They live in a single-room rental house, fetch water from a nearby stream, and share a pit latrine with other households. For three days, Baraka experienced persistent fever, body hotness, headache, poor appetite, vomiting, severe weakness, and difficulty standing. His condition worsened, but the family was unable to afford medical care due to financial hardship. A village administrator familiar with Helpster Charity referred the family to ALIHSAAN Health Centre for assistance. Through this support, Baraka accessed medical treatment and is currently improving under care.

Baraka was admitted to the health facility with severe malaria complicated by severe anemia. On arrival, he was weak, febrile, very pale, and unable to carry out normal activities due to low blood levels and the effects of malaria infection. He was immediately started on intravenous antimalarial medication to clear the malaria parasites from his bloodstream and given supportive treatment, including fluids and fever management. Due to the severity of the anemia, he was closely monitored and received appropriate management to help restore his blood levels and improve oxygen circulation in the body. Nutritional support and hematinics were also provided to aid recovery. Through the assistance of Helpster Charity, Baraka was able to receive all the required medical services free of charge, despite his family’s financial challenges. The timely support enabled him to access lifesaving treatment without delay. Over the course of treatment, his fever subsided, strength gradually returned, appetite improved, and the pallor reduced significantly as his condition stabilized. He was later discharged in a much better condition with follow-up care instructions.

Baraka was diagnosed with severe anaemia secondary to severe malaria after presenting with persistent fever, pallor, vomiting, weakness, and difficulty standing. He required urgent medical treatment, close monitoring, antimalarial therapy, and supportive care. Due to delayed care caused by financial challenges, his condition had significantly worsened at presentation. Following treatment, and with continued medication adherence, proper nutrition, and follow-up care, his prognosis is good.