Faith N., 9

Faith is the second-born in a family of three and a Grade 3 pupil at a local primary school. She is a committed learner who wakes up early to get ready for class. Faith enjoys reading storybooks and drawing. While she dreams of becoming a teacher, she also hopes to become a doctor someday. Faith has been diagnosed with sickle cell disease. A day before admission, she started feeling unwell and lost her appetite, prompting her family to seek medical attention. She was placed on the appropriate treatment. Currently, she presented with one episode of convulsions, fever, and general body weakness. Due to her condition, she has been out of school for the last two weeks.

A day prior to her hospital admission, Faith began feeling unwell and experienced a loss of appetite, which prompted her family to seek medical attention. Initially, a few days ago, she had been started on treatment from a nearby clinic and appeared to be recovering; however, she soon experienced a relapse, presenting with an episode of convulsions, fever, and general body weakness. These health challenges had caused her to miss school for the past two weeks. Upon thorough medical evaluation, Faith was diagnosed with acute chest syndrome, a serious complication often seen in children with underlying conditions such as sickle cell disease. She was admitted to the hospital and received comprehensive care, including a course of antibiotics and intravenous fluids for rehydration, aimed at stabilizing her condition and addressing the infection. Over the course of her hospitalization, Faith’s condition steadily improved, allowing her to be safely discharged to continue her recovery at home under careful observation. During a follow-up call, the Helpster volunteer received wonderful news from Faith’s mother, who reported that Faith had fully recovered and resumed her normal daily activities. She has returned to school and is enjoying her usual routines, bringing relief and happiness to her family.

If faiths condition (severe malaria) is left untreated in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), it can lead to serious complications and even death, according to several sources. This is because malaria can trigger a sickle cell crisis, causing a cascade of negative effects, including severe anemia and organ damage.