Rathnamma's 8-Month-Old Baby Boy Constantly Coughs And Struggles To Breathe Due To Severe Pneumonia

For Rathnamma and Ramalingam, life took a turn for the worse when their 8-month-old baby fell sick suddenly. Their baby boy was perfectly healthy, until two months ago. They wonder if he fell sick when he was given a cold-water bath one winter morning. He contracted a cold that didn’t get better for a week and then he started wheezing. They had no idea that what started as a simple cold would land their baby in a hospital, fighting for his life.

They thought all their baby needed was medicines

When their baby boy continued to wheeze and cough constantly, they took him to a hospital in Anantapur. They thought the doctors would prescribe some medicines and their little one would be fine in no time. What happened at the hospital though, shocked them more than anything. The doctors told them that he needed to be admitted right away since he had Pneumonia.

“They said he’ll get better, but that didn’t happen. For a whole week, they treated him with no luck. His condition worsened and they told us that they didn’t have the necessary facilities needed for his treatment and that we needed to take him to a bigger hospital.” says Rathnamma.

Their ordeal didn’t end at the Anantapur hospital. He was kept there for a week, under constant monitoring and medication. But his condition continued to worsen and he struggled to breathe even more. Then the doctors asked the desperate parents to take him to a bigger hospital, which would have the facilities for his treatment. Rathnamma and Ramalingam had no choice but to rush their little boy to a bigger hospital. They took him to Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, where he is currently being treated.

He cries out of pain and the crying makes his breathing worse

“He has tubes all over his body. He cries so much when he can’t breathe, and keeps coughing. The tubes make him very uncomfortable and he keeps pulling to get them out of his face. No parent should have to see their child in this condition.” - Rathnamma

As soon as he was admitted to the hospital, he was put on oxygen, to aid him in breathing. The tubes bother him a lot and he keeps trying to get them out of his face. He cries out of pain when he coughs too much, and the crying worsens his breathing problem. His parents can’t do anything to take his pain away and it breaks their hearts to see him suffer this way.

His treatment is beyond Ramalingam’s means

Rathnamma and Ramalingam fondly call their baby boy Bangaram, which means gold. They had such dreams for him and his life, and all that changed with him falling ill. They still can’t believe that fate dealt them such a bad hand. Watching their baby struggle to breathe is the hardest part of their lives, but they’re determined to save him at all costs. The only problem they now face is the lack of funds.




Ramalingam works as a daily wage labourer for a meager pay. Rathnamma used to work too, but she stopped in order to take care of her two kids, Bangaram and her older son Yashwant, who is just 3. In the measly income that Ramalingam makes, they barely manage to get two meals a day. Affording this expensive treatment is way beyond their means.

How you can help

They have already spent close to Rs 2 lakhs towards Bangaram’s treatment, by taking loans from friends and relatives. The parents have now run out of money and sources to borrow from. To save their child, they need your help. Your contribution can help him recover and get a second chance at life.

Supporting documents

The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.

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