ADDRO donates GH₵10,000 to nine-month-old baby in Kpalinsa battling spina bifida and hydrocephalus
ADDRO supports infant’s life-saving surgery with GH¢10,000 donation, calls for further assistance
The Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization (ADDRO) has come to the aid of a nine-month-old baby girl, Belinda Awonchosime, in the Kpalinsa community with a donation of GH₵10,000 to support her urgent medical surgery in Tamale.
Belinda Awonchosime, who was born with spina bifida, requires surgery estimated at GH₵22,500 at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The condition has left the child with a swelling on her lower back, prompting urgent medical attention.
The little girl’s ordeal began at birth at the Wiaga Hospital, where she was delivered with a visible dent at the sacral region and a protruding forehead, early signs of the congenital condition. She was subsequently referred to the Sandema Municipal Hospital and later to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where a CT scan conducted by Dr. Donkor Kwarteng of the Radiology Department confirmed the diagnosis of sacral spina bifida with hydrocephalus.
The recommended treatment is surgical repair of the spina bifida combined with the implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, at a total cost of GH₵22,500. Medical advice at the time indicated that the child needed to attain a certain age before surgery could safely be performed.
Presenting the donation on behalf of the organization, Gabriel Abem Mohammed, Project Officer of ADDRO, explained that the organization became aware of the baby’s condition and took deliberate steps to verify and respond to the family’s needs.
“The organization solicited funds to support this child’s challenges. Further follow-up was made from the office. We had to come in person to meet the mother and the child to assess the situation, and a medical report was obtained, confirming that the child requires surgical intervention.
Mohammed credited the Early Childhood Development (ECD) committee for their pivotal role in bringing the matter to ADDRO’s attention.
“Through the effort of the Early Childhood Development committee, they came together, wrote a letter, and collaborated with the office and management. Through their letter, they supported the process.” He noted.
He assured the family and the community that the GH₵10,000 contribution is only a first step and that ADDRO remains committed to the child’s well-being beyond the donation.
“We can’t just leave the child as it is. We have raised a little amount of GH₵10,000 to help carry out the surgery. It doesn’t end there. We will continue to make follow-up and support the child in any other way that we can as an organization that seeks the healthcare of every child in the community.
The Assembly Member for the Kpalinsa Electoral Area, Thomas Agoalisui, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed profound gratitude to ADDRO for the timely intervention.
He described the gesture as a significant step toward saving the child’s life and appealed to other individuals and organizations to contribute towards the remaining amount needed for the surgery.
He urged the public to emulate ADDRO’s generosity to help ensure Belinda receives the full medical care she urgently needs.
The family remains hopeful that with continued support, the remaining funds will be raised to enable the child to undergo the life-saving procedure.
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