Young 12 yr old Ebrima has been at Jackie's house (with his 17yr old brother) since the 6th December after he was discharged from hospital into a small room on no more than a building site with no bathroom or toilet facilities. The father had to return to his work in Basse under threat of losing his job. There is no mother around.
Ebrima broke his lower leg but was not taken for treatment, massive osteomyelitis set in and ate so much of his little arms and legs. His right foot was so badly eaten away that a significant skin graft was taken from his right thigh back in early June to cover his foot. At the same time the surgeons tried to save his Tibia bone and placed the external iron fixation.
7 months later the donor graft area has still not healed and a nurse is being paid to come to the house every 2 days to change the dressings special dressings are also needing to be purchased and Ebrima remains on expensive oral antibiotics as well as a high protein diet. This regime and a clean environment is making all the difference to his wound healing and as you can see there are now significant improvements.
Unfortunately the orthooeadic surgeons have had to cut out a substantial part of the tibia bone due to advanced disease and infection and their plan now is to attempt a Fibula transplant. This is substantial surgery with a very long recovery period.
Jackie is having significant problems getting to see the consultant with Ebrima and has been told today that he will not be back in clinic for another 2 weeks so we do not even know when this next surgery is going to be likely.
Our project has funded Ebrimas iv antibiotics on the ward for many months, he can not return with his father to Basse as he is not fit to travel in his current condition nor will he get the medical and nutritional care that he needs to give him the best chance of healing, to save both his legs.
An awful situation for this little 12 Yr old boy, we just do not know what the future holds for him but we are sure you agree that we really do need to help him, to give him the best possible chance of recovery.
Currently Ebrimas medical care, feeding and additional staff is costing in excess of £300 each month (this includes the brother too) Many of you have donated to help Ebrima when he first moved to Jackie's with his brother and this is so very much appreciated.
However, we are just not able to maintain these costs and are again reaching out to you for your help.
PLEASE if you can donate, even just £1 it will all add up and be such a great help for this youngster.
