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But in Baby Buana’s case, none of these "normal" things have happened, as of yet. The 6-month-old hasn't achieved any of her milestones, because she suffers from chronic liver disease which, without an urgent transplant, could likely claim her life.
“She keeps on crying whenever she is awake. Nothing I do can pacify her. Being her mother, I feel so helpless seeing her in so much distress. I want to take away her pain, but what can I do?” - Sumila, mother
Buana’s whole body has turned yellow, including her eyes. Her belly and navel are bloated because of a condition called ascites, in which fluid collects in spaces within the abdomen. It is a serious condition because it can set the stage for life-threatening infections. Fluid may also move into the chest and surround her lungs if she does not get a liver transplant in time.
A liver transplant is her last shot at survival
When Baby Buana was born, she was diagnosed with jaundice, which intensified and worsened her condition with time. She was later diagnosed with biliary atresia, a condition where there is a blockage in the bile ducts or the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. Her parents took her to Delhi, from their hometown in Manipur, for treatment and an emergency Kasai procedure was performed. However, it failed and now, her liver is damaged beyond repair.“Now our baby is at the stage where only a liver transplant can save her. Her liver is a 100% damaged and is not functioning at all.” - Fernandes, father
‘We are normal middle-class people… How can we afford 15 lakhs so soon?’
It is said that a hospital emergency is enough to push middle-class people into poverty. This cannot be more true in the case of Fernandes and his family. Though he works as a manager at a media company in Manipur and has a decent income, he is still falling short of funds to pay for his baby’s surgery which costs more than 15 lakh rupees. He has exhausted all his savings paying for her first procedure and now has nothing left.
“We are in a very bad financial positon now. We need the funds urgently or we may lose our baby girl. That prospect is unimaginable and it would only mean that we failed as parents.” - Fernandes, tearfully
Buana’s parents need your urgent help to save their child. Click here to donate.
