Nasri Atieno A., 9

Nasri is the third-born in a family of six children. She is a cheerful and caring girl who enjoys playing netball and singing and dreams of becoming a nun when she grows up. She lives with both parents and her siblings in a two-room mud-walled house without electricity. Both parents are small-scale farmers who depend on selling farm produce to provide for the family, making their income dependent on the availability of produce and market sales. Nasri developed general body weakness, body pains and fever. Her mother initially gave her paracetamol and Flagyl tablets that were available at home, hoping her symptoms would improve. However, her condition continued to deteriorate, with increasing body pains and episodes of vomiting. Concerned by the worsening symptoms and lack of improvement with the medication given at home, her mother brought her to the health facility for further assessment and treatment. The family learned about Helpster Charity through a neighbour whose child had previously received treatment at the same facility with medical costs supported by the organization.

Nasri was diagnosed with severe malaria and severe dehydration, a potentially life-threatening combination requiring urgent inpatient care. Persistent vomiting and fluid loss can worsen dehydration and electrolyte disturbances, while severe malaria may cause anaemia, neurological complications or organ dysfunction. She requires appropriate antimalarial treatment, careful fluid and electrolyte replacement and close monitoring. Prognosis is good.