Thursday, 10 November 2011

Just to update you on Maurine

David and I took her to the hospital in Kisumu and after much waiting around, and various doctors coming in to the room we were sat in, having a little prod and look in Maurine's eyes we finally got seen to.

Unfortunately we are too late.

The doctor believes she suffered from meningitis 4 years ago and due to the mis-treatment of it, she has ended up in the medical state she's in now. It's been suggested that Maurine has a CT scan in order to determine the severity of the hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) that she acquired as a result of the meningitis before recommending further treatment to reduce the hydrocephalus. A CT scan here costs 6000ksh (£38), however there is no chance Mum can find this money.
We went to the social services dept at the hospital to see if there could be any financial support offered. Because a CT scan is so expensive, they can't waiver the fee, however will pay 1000ksh towards it if Mum comes with the rest. It's a pay for the treatment first situation here too.

I asked the doctor if she felt having medical treatment would make any differenct at all to the quality of Maurine's life. She said "No".

It's a really difficult situation to find myself in. My heart is saying fund for her to have the CT scan, but my head is saying that 6000ksh can be used to pay for 4 children who attend my cerebral palsy clinic to have adapted chairs made for them which will make eating a safer experience for them, and thus possibly saving there life, as well as making communication a lot easier. Or will part pay for a child to have a wheelchair so that he can attend a mainstream integrated school. And, not only that, but then another 6000ksh will be needed for an operation that will make no difference.

We are speaking to Maurine's Mum next week to tell her that nothing can be done for her daughter. It's a role that shouldn't be mine as a speech therapist. But, it's a role that no one else will take on.

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