Gulu

An expectant Janet Anena 18 dropped out of Pajule Secondary school while in senior three, and until her baby was born; her expectation was that she would have a normal delivery and a healthy baby.

 

An expectant Janet Anena 18 dropped out of Pajule Secondary school while in senior three, and until her baby was born; her expectation was that she would have a normal delivery and a healthy baby.

 

The three month old baby Trinity Ajok was born at Pajule health centre IV in November 2011, however at birth she had a small growth on her nose which has kept on increasing and has now covered the right eye. Without anymedical relief in the former war theatre’s rudimentary health facilities, such abnormalities go undetected.

 

According to Anena, the child cries throughout the day and night ever since her birth, and because the health centres are unable to provide any treatment, she has turned to traditional methods.

 

“We were advised by the locals to try traditional medicines which we did but still there is no change, the growth instead keeps on increasing," she said.

 

Anena who stays with her parents, who are also peasant farmers, says that to get transport to Gulu referral hospital she had to save money for a month from the proceeds of her father’s cotton.

 

Anena's fiancée and father to the child denied the pregnancy leaving her to shoulder the burden of pregnancy and care of the baby with the help of her parents.

 

According to a eye specialist at Gulu National Referral Hospital Mr Ben Watmon, there is need for more investigations to establish the condition and reason for the abnormality.

 

He says the child needs multiple specialist surgery, like facial, neurologist and eye and nose specialist treatment. “The process is very expensive because it also involves CT scan,” he said.

 

Watmon says that Ajok's case is very rare adding that it’s the second case to be reported in the period of six years and he suspects that it could be Mucocoelae .

 

Anena has been referred to Mulago hospital but she cannot even afford transport and other basics to reach the hospital to save her child.

 

Anyone who wishes to support the family can contact the eye specialist at Gulu National Referral Hospital Mr Ben Watmon on Tel -0772474848