Peace K., 19

Peace is a 19-year-old young woman from a severely disadvantaged socio-economic background. Due to the inability of her family to afford school fees and basic educational materials such as stationery, she was compelled to discontinue her studies despite a strong desire to continue her education. This interruption has significantly limited her opportunities and future prospects. Recently, Peace became unwell. With her family already struggling financially, accessing medical care became a major challenge. The cost of consultation, laboratory tests, and essential medication was beyond their means, placing her health at considerable risk. During this period, a Community Health Promoter (CHP) conducting routine household visits encountered Peace at home. She was in visible distress — weak, lethargic, and in significant pain. The CHP took note of her condition and informed her about Helpster Charity, which supports vulnerable patients who cannot afford medical care. Encouraged by this information, Peace sought help. She later presented herself to the hospital with complaints of persistent epigastric pain, severe headache, repeated vomiting, joint pains, high-grade fever, abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, and generalized body weakness for four days. By the time of presentation, her condition had deteriorated markedly. She appeared acutely ill, dehydrated, febrile, and visibly exhausted. She struggled to sit upright for long and required immediate medical attention. Following clinical evaluation and investigations, she was diagnosed with severe malaria and gastritis, with peptic ulcer disease to be ruled out. Given the severity of her symptoms and overall clinical state, she was admitted for inpatient treatment, close monitoring, and further management.

Peace came to the facility by herself with complains of, joint pain, epigastric pain, vomiting, fever and general body weakness for the last four days. As per the clinical examination, laboratory investigation and abdominal ultrasound, peace was diagnosed with malaria, gastritis r/o peptic ulcers disease. Was admitted for some days and responded well to medication and discharged when stable and in good condition.

Peace presented in a significantly compromised state, largely due to delayed access to care. Severe malaria, if not treated promptly, can progress rapidly and become fatal. Additionally, her gastrointestinal symptoms and suspected petic ulcer disease likely worsened her nutritional status and overall weakness. However, with the admission, appropriate antimalarial therapy, supportive care, rehydration, and treatment for gastritis while further evaluating for peptic ulcer disease, Peace is showing encouraging signs of response to treatment. Given her age and resilience, her prognosis is favorable provided she completes her treatment, receives adequate nutritional support, and has consistent follow-up care