Mark W., 2

Mark is the third-born in a family of five children. He lives with both parents and his siblings in a modest three-roomed mud-walled house without electricity. Both parents are peasant farmers who depend on small farm produce to provide food and meet the family's basic needs, making unexpected medical expenses difficult to manage. Mark's mother reported that he developed intermittent high fever accompanied by diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, poor appetite and refusal to feed. As his illness progressed, he became increasingly weak, irritable and less active than usual. He struggled to tolerate feeds and fluids, raising concern about dehydration and further deterioration. His mother initially gave him paracetamol syrup available at home, but his symptoms persisted and the fever became increasingly high. When his condition continued to worsen despite the medication, she became concerned and brought him to the hospital for proper assessment and treatment. The family had previously heard about Helpster Charity from a neighbour whose child's treatment at the same facility had been supported by the organization.

Mark was diagnosed with severe malaria complicated by gastroenteritis with severe dehydration. His persistent high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, poor feeding and increasing weakness placed him at significant risk of hypovolaemia, electrolyte imbalance, circulatory compromise and other potentially life-threatening complications. He required urgent inpatient management with appropriate antimalarial therapy, careful fluid and electrolyte replacement, and close monitoring. With timely and adequate treatment, his prognosis is good, with expected full recovery. Without prompt treatment, the condition could rapidly deteriorate and become life-threatening.