Mom & child
Rene examining the boy at the health camp
Inside the ambulance on their way to Dumre.
On the second day of the Rupakot Health Camp, I was called outside to examine a three-year-old child brought in by his mother. I found them sitting on the patio surrounded by villagers under the shade of a large tree. Making my way through the crowd I approached the mother who appeared to be a child herself and her young son who was lying on the cement. I was told that at age 8 months, the baby had suffered a high fever for three or four days and had subsequently lost his vision and hearing. Some time later, the baby was evaluated by a health personnel and the mother was told that the baby had had meningitis and that his eyesight would not return. Further history obtained in bits and pieces through translators revealed a story of persistent seizures, inability to feed, and chronic lethargy. Although my exam was limited by the circumstances, I noticed that the child was grossly underdeveloped for his age and difficult to arouse. He had poor muscle tone although no evidence of muscle atrophy. Muscles were flaccid and there were no contractures. He did not utter a sound, did not appear aware of the examiner. There was no evidence of facial weakness. He moved all his extremities to avoid noxious stimuli. Deep tendon reflexes were normal. His pupils were difficult to evaluate under the circumstances. I told the mother, without inappropriately raising her hopes, that the child needed a full neurological workup. Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu, a 6-8 hour trip, offers free health care. However, lodging and food for the families is not provided for free. For this very poor family, the cost of the trip, food and lodging made this option impossible. Fortunately, Elsie James and Ramesh Dhamala of Medical Mercy Canada were with us at the Health Camp. Elsie helps support a shelter adjacent to Kanti Children’s Hospital for family members in need. On Monday, March 31, mother and child traveled to Kathmandu through a donation by Project for a Village. Our ambulance transported the family from the hill down to Dumre where the family then traveled by bus to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, the family was met by Elsie and Ramesh, who helped them settle in the Social Action Volunteer shelter adjacent to the hospital. A consultation was procured with a pediatric neurologist and the child has started having a battery of tests. I doubt that the child’s senses will ever be restored, but hope that the seizures can be controlled and that the mother finds peace in knowing that people care and that her child has been helped. If all together we can create enough energy maybe the impossible can happen. I pray every day for the family. Please join me.