Bernard S., 6

Bernard is a 6-year-old boy and the second-last born in a family of six. He has never attended school because his family lives in extreme poverty. Both of his parents have mental illness, leaving the family without a stable source of income. His mother survives by begging for food and small donations, collecting about KSh 400 per month. They live in a two-room mud house without electricity and walk over 30 minutes to fetch water from a distant well. Hunger and lack of access to healthcare are part of their daily life. Bernard developed a high intermittent fever, chills, severe headache, repeated vomiting, poor appetite, and progressive weakness over five days. His condition worsened with marked paleness, dizziness, and extreme fatigue, leaving him unable to carry out normal activities. A Helpster volunteer found him critically ill and referred him for urgent treatment after learning that his mother could not afford medical care. Bernard was enrolled into the Helpster program at Bulondo Health Centre, where he is receiving appropriate treatment and close monitoring, and his condition is steadily improving.

Bernard has been diagnosed with severe anaemia secondary to severe malaria, a life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical intervention. He is receiving appropriate antimalarial treatment, supportive care, and close monitoring, with blood transfusion if clinically indicated. With timely and adequate treatment, his prognosis is favourable, and he is expected to recover fully. However, delayed or interrupted treatment could lead to heart failure, organ dysfunction, shock, or death. Completion of treatment, nutritional support, and follow-up care are essential to restore his health and prevent recurrence.