- Request received09/06/2026
- Checked & confirmed26/07/2026
- FundraisingOngoing26/07/2026
- Treatment provided
- Invoice paid
- Case closed
Why is treatment sometimes done earlier than the payment?
When a case is urgent and vital, hospitals often proceed with delivering medical care right away to save a life, even before the finalisation of admission procedures. Usually, when this happens, hospitals put the bill on our credit until the funds are transferred to their accounts. That’s why the chronology can sometimes be in disorder.
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Shamsudin W., 7
FundraisingUrgentBlood
27
$155
About blood
A child who is a known sickler (has sickle cell disease) and develops acute chest syndrome is experiencing a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease. Acute chest syndrome occurs when sickled red blood cells block blood flow in the lungs, often accompanied by infection or inflammation, leading to reduced oxygen supply to the body. The child typically presents with symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, fast breathing, cough, fever, weakness, and general body malaise. They may also complain of headache, dizziness, and fatigue due to reduced oxygen levels and anemia. In severe cases, the child may appear distressed, have low oxygen saturation, and struggle to breathe normally. This condition is particularly dangerous because it affects the lungs and can rapidly progress to respiratory failure if not treated promptly. Acute chest syndrome is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death among children with sickle cell disease. Immediate medical attention is required, including oxygen therapy, pain management, antibiotics if infection is suspected, intravenous fluids, and sometimes blood transfusion to improve oxygen delivery and reduce the number of sickled cells. Early treatment is essential to prevent serious complications and improve the child's chances of recovery.
Al-Ihsaan Health Centre Kimaeti
A long kimaeti Malakisi road
Background
Shamsudin is a 7-year-old boy in Grade 3 and the second-last born in a family of five children. He lives in a rural village where his mother, a small-scale farmer, earns about KSh 1,000 per month from selling green groceries. The family lives in a three-room mud house without electricity and relies on borehole water for domestic use. Despite these hardships, Shamsudin is cheerful, hardworking, and enjoys school, football, and helping his mother with household and farming activities. He dreams of becoming a teacher or a healthcare worker. About a week before admission, Shamsudin developed a headache and dizziness, which his guardian initially thought was a minor illness. Despite taking paracetamol, his condition worsened, and he developed chest pain, difficulty breathing, increasing weakness, and fatigue, making it difficult for him to attend school or participate in normal activities. Financial constraints delayed access to medical care as the family hoped he would recover. When his condition became more severe, they met a beneficiary of Helpster Charity Organization, who referred them to a participating hospital. Through the program, Shamsudin was enrolled, received timely medical treatment, and is currently under close monitoring, with his condition steadily improving.
Medical history
.His gaurdian expressed heartfelt appreciation to Helpster Charity Organization and Al Ihsaan Health Centre for providing timely, free, and lifesaving medical care that helped save his life and eased the financial burden on the family.
Prognosis
With appropriate medical care including oxygen therapy, antibiotics when infection is suspected, pain management, intravenous fluids, and blood transfusion when necessary ,the child's breathing improves, oxygen levels return to normal, and the lung inflammation gradually resolves. Early treatment helps prevent further damage to the lungs, reduces the risk of complications, and allows the child to return to normal daily activities and continue healthy growth and development. However, if acute chest syndrome is left untreated or treatment is delayed, the condition can rapidly become life-threatening. The child's oxygen levels may continue to fall, leading to severe breathing difficulties, worsening anemia, respiratory failure, and damage to vital organs. In severe cases, the child may require intensive care support, and the condition can result in permanent lung damage or death. Therefore, immediate medical intervention and close monitoring are critical to improving outcomes, preserving lung function, and protecting the child’s overall health and quality of life.
