NATIONAL || A five-month-old baby born without an anus is in urgent need of Shs3 million to undergo critical surgeries that would significantly improve the child’s life.
Shadia Nakato, the baby’s mother and a resident of Misaali in Masaka City, shared her harrowing journey.
Initially unaware of her child’s condition, she noticed an absence of waste excretion in the first three days after delivery.
Her concerns grew when the baby began crying incessantly.
“At first, the baby defecated through the penis but stopped after that. We tried natural remedies, but they didn’t work,” Nakato recounted.
Medical practitioners later confirmed the baby had a congenital defect: no anal opening.
Surgeons at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital created a temporary abdominal opening to allow waste excretion.
However, the procedure was only the first step; two more surgeries are needed to create a functional anal opening.
The situation is exacerbated by the baby’s pain during defecation, which also causes bleeding. Nakato must purchase medication weekly, costing Shs30,000, to manage her child’s discomfort.
Despite surpassing the weight threshold of 9kg needed for the surgeries, financial constraints have delayed the procedures.
“The doctors said he needed the next surgeries when he reached 9kg. Now he is 10 kg, but I haven’t managed to raise the Shs3 million required,” Nakato explained.
Abandoned by the child’s father, Nakato faces the overwhelming responsibility of caregiving alone. She has appealed to kind-hearted individuals and organizations for assistance to raise the funds.
Dr Jude Kabugo, an obstetrician at St Joseph’s Hospital Kitovu, noted that such congenital anomalies are not rare. He emphasized the importance of prenatal check-ups to detect and address potential complications early.
He also cautioned expectant mothers against harmful substances like alcohol and drugs, which could contribute to congenital conditions.
Nakato remains hopeful that well-wishers will support her child’s journey toward a better life.
To support: Contact 0744525015 under the name of Shadia Nakato