Sammy K., 15

Sammy’s parents live in the rural mountain area of Bungoma County. His mother relies on small-scale farming on less than a quarter-acre of land, which barely sustains the family. They depend on a stream for drinking, washing, and all domestic needs, and often struggle to provide even two meals a day. Sammy was referred from Sirisia Sub-County Hospital with a two-week history of persistent headache, dizziness, and generalized body weakness. He also reported severe abdominal pain and moderate nosebleeds during the same period, though there was no history of loss of consciousness, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, or hematemesis. Given the family’s extreme poverty and inability to afford specialized care, coupled with Sammy’s worsening condition that required referral to a higher-level hospital from the subcounty hospital, the support of Helpster Charity was critical. On admission, Sammy was found to have very low blood pressure, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, indicating a severe and potentially life-threatening condition.

Sammy was admitted with very severe anemia, presenting with a critically low hemoglobin level of 2.2 g/dL. He experienced sporadic epistaxis, dizziness, episodes of hotness, and occasional palpitations. Despite receiving intensive care, including three blood transfusions and fresh frozen plasma, he did not respond adequately to the initial interventions. Consequently, he was referred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the national referral hospital for the Western part of Kenya, for further evaluation and specialized care by a hematology-oncology team. During his inpatient stay, Sammy was managed for anemia and epistaxis with appropriate medications. He was later discharged in stable condition, active and responsive, and his mother expressed her gratitude for the quality care provided through Helpster Charity Heroes.

Sammy was admitted with very severe Anaemia - a low HB of 2.2g/dl. He had sporadic Epistaxis, dizziness,Hotness of body (HOBs) and occasionally palpitations. He was transfused x3, including fresh frozen plasma. He did not respond well to medications and interventions given. This prompted for his referral to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret cancer centre for further evaluation and care by Haemato-Oncologist His prognosis depends on urgent stabilization, blood transfusion, and further evaluation to identify and treat the underlying cause. With timely intervention at a higher-level facility, recovery is possible; however, without specialized care, he faces a high risk of complications such as organ failure, severe bleeding, or death.