How your support helped: a story from St John’s Hospital Children’s Ward in Uganda

31 years old Acio Jane Ruth, from Oyam district, was 30 weeks pregnant with her third child when she was admitted to St John’s Hospital Aber requiring emergency care with symptoms including elevated blood pressure, headache, and dizziness. It became clear her life was at risk, and so the decision was made to save her by delivering her baby through an emergency caesarean section. The neonatal team were preparing to deliver a very low birth weight baby whose prognosis would be poor due to the low gestational age. 

The baby required lifesaving care, including the administering of oxygen, through continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and fluids. The baby continued to develop many complications including necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, anaemia, and jaundice. The team kept the parents informed of the baby’s condition and the outlook did not look good. The medical team continued with the intensive care and the baby began to show improvement that brought a smile to the parents’ faces.

Acio Jane Ruth remained weak after the operation but after regaining some strength she was able to take care of her baby. The baby spent one month in the hospital and was later discharged after being stabilised. 

Acio Jane Ruth said: “I am so grateful for the care that was offered to me and my child that saved my life and marriage. I stayed in the hospital for one month but paid very little money for the services given to my baby and myself because of the support of St Andrew’s Clinics for Children. Thanks to the nurses, midwives, doctors and management of St. John’s Hospital, Aber for the good and quality services they are giving to the people of this community”.