By Yunus S. Saliu
Motherhood is a dream for many women, particularly those who are married, as they long for healthy children who will bring them joy. But for some women, the journey to fulfilling this dream can become a challenging and heart-wrenching struggle, especially when compounded by health issues. Such is the story of Haddy Jobe, mother of 6-year-old Sainabou Bah, who suffers from a condition known as hydrocephalus.
At just two months old, Sainabou’s head began to grow rapidly, and since then, her mother has been in a constant state of worry, hoping for the day when a kind soul will offer help to restore her daughter’s health.
Haddy Jobe shared her heartache, explaining, “This condition started two months after Sainabou was born. She cannot walk on her own, even though she is six years old. Her head has grown so large that it outweighs the strength of her legs. I have to carry her everywhere I go, as I can’t leave her alone at home.”
Sainabou is confined to either her mother’s back, a wheelchair, or lying down whenever Haddy becomes too tired to carry her.
Haddy continued, “Since Sainabou was diagnosed with this disease, I’ve taken her to the hospital every Thursday for check-ups, first at EFSTH and now at Ndemban Hospital.”
When Sainabou was under one-year-old, she underwent surgery and a shunt was placed in her head to manage her condition. However, this shunt is no longer functioning, and the doctors have advised that it needs to be replaced.
Haddy explained, “When the shunt was working, her condition was stable, but now that it’s no longer functioning, Sainabou suffers from headaches, sleeplessness, and sometimes even loses consciousness.”
A report from the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, highlights Sainabou’s past surgery and her inability to walk. The report also notes that her veins are in poor condition, though her psychological state at the time of the examination appeared calm.
Sadly, Haddy is unable to work due to her daughter’s condition, while Sainabou’s father, Musa Bah, a bricklayer, struggles to support a family of twelve.
In her desperate plea, Haddy calls on the government, NGOs, philanthropists, and kind-hearted individuals to assist in providing proper treatment for Sainabou. She says, “The pain my daughter goes through breaks my heart every day.”
Anyone wishing to help can contact Sainabou’s parents at the following numbers: 6739890, 2584805, or 7075521.
