Kaduna State Govt. Comes to Aid of the Boy Isah Mohammed Suffering from Facial Cancer

Yesterday, 19th of June, 2016, the heart breaking photos of a 6-year-old boy, Isah Mohammed pictured above, from Kaduna state (read here) suffering from cancer, went viral as his family sought for financial help from the state government to save him.

This afternoon, the Kaduna State Government released a statement giving details about how they intend to help the boy.

Read the statement below…

”On the 7th of June, 2016, the young Isah mohammed (Amir) accompanied by his mother and Dan Majen Kano was brought to the office of the Chief of Staff from the Emir of Kano for assistance in respect of his eye disease, diagnosed as Retinoblastoma (cancer of the eye and facial region).

”The disease presented itself as a huge tumor on the right side of his head. The efforts in stages Amir was immediately taken to Barau Dikko Hospital where he was admitted in the accident and emergency Ward for emergency medical attention.

”Various tests were conducted and the hospital, having inadequate facilities to render the much needed medical care, referred him to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika. On reaching Shika, it was discovered that activities were grinded to halt as the doctors had embarked on industrial action (strike).

”Without hesitation, the Chief of Staff reached out to the Chief Medical Director; Prof. Khalid and solicited for his assistance and promised that the Kaduna State Government is ready to settle his entire medical bills. On manifestation of the disease some years back, Amir had had his right eye removed and had been admitted at Shika.

”A well-documented medical record of his’ were found, this made the process a lot easier. Again, tests were carried out in the hospital’s Haematology/Oncology unit. On the 15th of June, 2016, the hospital wrote, “The radiation facilities available at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital are not focused for children of his age”.

”The letter went ahead to state that Amir will need specialized care including resistant testing, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The hospital recommended that the child be taken abroad to enable him access care for his condition. With this report of prognosis, St Jude Children’s research Hospital, Minnesota, USA were contacted through a Lagos-based NGO; CEDIO FREE RURAL MEDICAL OUTREACH.

”The NGO had been introduced to Kaduna State Government by Amir’s family as they had for a while been working with the family to assist in finding medical care for Amir outside the country. On the 16th of June, 2016, the various reports and pictures were sent to the NGO for onward communication to St Jude as part of efforts to establish if the hospital is still willing to take Amir’s case.

”Through the independent effort of the Government, another hospital; MEDANTA HOSPITAL, INDIA, had been sent Amir’s medical report so as to establish another option for the child. Both responses are being awaited.”

Photo credit: George Onmonya Daniel