Elvis O., 1

Elvis is the youngest child in his family. His father left in search of work and rarely communicates, leaving Elvis in the care of his mother, grandmother, and sibling in a two-room mud house. His mother works as a casual laborer, while his paternal grandmother earns a living selling sardines at the local market. When he is well and around familiar people, Elvis is usually playful and cheerful. The family was introduced to Helpster Charity through a social worker. According to his mother, Elvis had been unwell for some time, and she often resorted to buying medication from a chemist. On the day his condition worsened, she returned from work to find him lying on the ground in the compound. When she asked what was wrong, he pointed to his stomach. She gave him herbal medicine, but by the following day his condition had not improved. Believing he might have been bewitched due to a nearby funeral, she delayed seeking medical care. Later, on a friend’s advice, she was told that it was not witchcraft but a likely stomach-related illness, and encouraged to seek treatment. Initially reluctant due to financial constraints, she eventually took Elvis to a nearby dispensary, where he was referred to Siaya County Referral Hospital.

Elvis was brought to the hospital with complains of headache, fever, and general body weakness.He was thin and pale looking. His lab work revealed he was suffering from severe malnutrition and severe malaria, this warranted admission to the wards. He stayed in the ward where he was administered IV artesunate, IV cetriaxone, IV paracetamol and other drugs to which he was tolerant. He was also booked to the nutritionist clinic where he was reviewed and mother advised on proper nutrition values.He was finally discharged. A call to his mother revealed that Elvis was okay , jovial eating as instructed and had even gained weight.

Elvis was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. His prognosis is guarded but hopeful. Because he was referred to a higher-level facility, Siaya County Referral Hospital, where he accessed specialized nutritional support, therapeutic feeding, and close monitoring, his chances of recovery are good. However, he will require long-term follow-up, continuous nutritional rehabilitation, and close support from his caregivers to prevent relapse. With proper management and adherence to the prescribed nutritional program, Elvis has a high likelihood of regaining strength and achieving normal growth and development.