Maria A., 16

Maria Akter is a 16-year-old Grade 10 student who developed high fever and severe cough for 10 days and was admitted to Saheda Gafur Ibrahim General Hospital after being diagnosed with typhoid. Her father, Faruk Khan (40), works as a rickshaw driver and is the sole income earner, earning approximately BDT 8,000 (around USD 65) per month, while her mother is a homemaker and her two sisters are still studying. With this limited income, the family struggles to meet daily expenses and cannot afford Maria’s hospitalization, investigations, medicines, and treatment costs. The family learned about the Helpster Charity support program through the hospital and sought assistance for her treatment. The area is experiencing a seasonal typhoid outbreak, with poor hygiene, shared toilets, and limited access to safe drinking water, while delayed treatment could lead to severe infection and serious complications.

Doctors have advised treatment with parenteral antibiotics along with supportive therapy to effectively control Maria Akter’s typhoid infection. With timely and complete treatment, her fever will gradually subside, her strength will return, and she will be able to resume her studies and daily activities without long-term effects. Proper medical care will also prevent the infection from spreading and protect her vital organs. However, if left untreated, typhoid can lead to severe complications such as intestinal perforation, internal bleeding, bloodstream infection, and even become life-threatening. Early intervention is therefore essential to ensure her full recovery and safeguard her future health.