Journalist, friends support plastic surgery of 5-year-old with GH¢14,816
A journalist with Kumasi-based Abusua FM, Ms Akoto Mansa Attakora-Manu, has raised GH¢14,816 through her Facebook page to pay for the surgery and upkeep of a five-year-old girl, Shakiratu Yakubu, who is suffering from severe burns from fire.
Shakiratu suffered the burns about two years ago and after spending some months on admission at the Wa Hospital, she was transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) about two months ago for further treatment.
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She needed GH¢8,000 to undergo reconstructive surgery to resurface the wounds at KATH, but her poor mother had no means of raising the money.
Request
A request for financial assistance for the little girl was made through KATH by her mother.
A letter dated May 3, 2018 and signed by the consultant reconstructive plastic surgeon at KATH, Dr Emmanuel Adu, said the girl "sustained burns to her upper limbs, trunks and both lower limbs one and half years ago from fire”.
She was, therefore, referred to KATH to manage the residual ulcers that had failed to heal.
It added that Shakiratu "had ulcers to both her anterior and posterior trunk, as well as left forearm, which can result in severe disfigurement and deformity if not treated”.
Dr Adu said little Shakiratu required GH¢8,000 to cover her surgery and hospital admission.
Intervention
Some relatives of the girl got in touch with Ms Attakora-Manu, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Vida Victoria (VV), a non-governmental organisation that supports the underprivileged in society.
Presenting the money to Madam Hamida, the mother of the child, Ms Attakora-Manu said she was moved by the plight of Shakiratu and decided to seek help for her through social media.
She said GH¢8,000 of the amount would be used to pay for the surgery while the remainder would be used in the upkeep of the little girl.
She thanked her Facebook friends for the support which had brought hope to the girl and her mother.
Ms Attakora-Manu commended the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Chairman for Kwabre West, Mr Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, and one Madam Maataa Opare, for making "substantial" donations towards the treatment of the girl.
The mother of Shakiratu expressed gratitude to Ms Attakora-Manu for her timely support.
Gratitude
Dr Adu thanked the journalist for her "wonderful" intervention.
He appealed for support from the public for other children who were in similar situations.