Six-year-old Zeneiah Loo of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam is in dire need of surgery to remove a tumour growing in the right side of her brain, an operation which is estimated to cost some $4 million if done at a medical institution in Trinidad and Tobago.
Maternal grandmother of the child, Denise Luther, speaking from the bedside of her granddaughter, related that a few weeks ago, Zeneiah developed a fever and then started to walk funny followed by complaints of headache. Luther noted that over the past seven days or so, the child’s situation became more critical, and eventually a scan of her brain was conducted last Monday at Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital in Georgetown.
The results concluded that there is a well defined mass measuring 3.8×3.6cm in the right cerebral hemisphere, extending to right middle cerebral peduncle. The mass is preventing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, resulting in a bulge in the fourth ventricle.
The diagnosis was delivered by a radiologist from the local institution on January 9, while the Trinidad-based Community Hospital’s prognosis is the procedure of posterior tossa craniotomy, and excision of tumour. This could be done to the tune of TT $138,700.
At this stage, the condition is preventing Zeneiah from walking or sitting up independently, her speech is affected but she still remembers people and her stomach is not tolerating food. It is evident that the grandmother is gravely distressed by the situation. She related that the Grade One pupil of Saint Aloysius Primary recorded an overall 95 per cent pass at the recent Christmas term examinations and has a very bright future.
Zeneiah is a very popular girl at school and among relatives, and they have all been moved by the personality she possesses.
The child’s mother, Natase McCalman in a telephone interview with Guyana Times, said she recently met with a senior official at the Health Ministry, and a sum of $1 million will be allocated for the surgery.
McCalman explained that she was advised to take the child to the clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Thursday for an examination, following which the necessary referrals would made once her condition has been confirmed.
Although only six years old, relatives told this publication that Zeneiah is an ardent church goer, and they have grown fond of her since she likes to pray for them anytime she gets an opportunity. Today as this young child lies in need of divine intervention to save her life, relatives are appealing to the public to have compassion on this very precious soul, and give generously towards her surgery.
McCalman disclosed that Zeneiah aspires to become a medical doctor who would save lives someday. An account has been opened at Republic Bank for members of the public to make their contributions.
The account number is 749-057-6. Direct contact could be made with her parents on any of the following numbers: 682-9009, 662-1928, 333-2520 or 333-5158.