Emmanuel O., 7

Emmanuel has been living with his father since his mother left. Recently, his father remarried, and Emmanuel now lives with his stepmother, step-siblings, and father. His father works as a boda boda rider, using a motorbike that belongs to someone else, while the stepmother is a housewife. Emmanuel is in Grade One. He is a cheerful boy who enjoys playing and watching football and dreams of representing Kenya as a professional footballer in the future. He was brought to the hospital by his teacher after experiencing several episodes of post-meal vomiting that was yellowish in color, high fever (38.9°C), chills, headache, and general body malaise for three days, without having taken any medication. His father could not be reached and so the teacher stepped up to be his guardian. On examination, Emmanuel appeared ill but showed no pallor or jaundice. He had slight skin tenting, was clinically febrile, and appeared lethargic. A malaria rapid test confirmed a diagnosis of severe malaria. He was initially stabilized in the observation area, where his vomiting and fever were controlled, and he received a dextrose infusion before being transferred to the ward for further care.

Emmanuel was diagnosed with severe malaria and mild malnutrition. He spent four days at the hospital being treated with anti-malarials, analgesics and intravenous fluids. Upon feeling better, he was discharged home in good general condition. The family appreciates the care Emmanuel received at the hospital and the follow the facility has been doing for nutritional support. The fear the father had about the medical bill has been arrayed and he really appreciates Helpster Charity for coming through. The teacher also expressed her gratitude, that the child was received well by the staff. She added that the child is now back to school and has been able to write his end term exams in good health. Health education on seeking immediate treatment whenever the child falls sick was given. Emmanuel is the first beneficiary of Helpster Charity at Awasi Catholic Mission Health Centre.

Severe malaria is a potentially fatal medical emergency, primarily caused by Plasmodium falciparum, requiring immediate, aggressive treatment with intravenous (IV) antimalarial like Artesunate. Prognosis is guarded and highly dependent on rapid access to care, with complications like cerebral malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute kidney injury leading to high mortality if not promptly managed. Early diagnosis through blood smear and swift treatment significantly improve outcomes, but severe illness can progress to death within hours or days.