Odiete Christian was born in November 2011. But the circumstances, surrounding his birth rather than bringing joy of motherhood to his mother, Mrs. Ezinne Odiete, have caused her pain and anguish.

Master Odiete has been diagnosed of heart defects. He has a hole in his heart and has been in the hospital for six weeks where the challenge is being managed. Mrs. Odiete, who is now thinking how to raise medical bill of N3m for her son’s surgery, said the symptom was noticed when her son’s breath and temperature became hot, a week after he was born.

“I took him back to the health centre where he was born and the medical personnel there said, nothing was wrong with him. Dissatisfied, I took him again to my regular hospital: Holy Family Catholic Hospital, FESTAC Town, butthey referred me to Outreach Children Hospital where diagnosis actually showed he has a hole in his heart.”

She disclosed that her son was admitted for 12 days at the hospital before he was also referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital’s Cardiology Unit, Children’s Accident and Emergency Ward, where further diagnosis showed that the hole in the heart condition has led to the development of pulmonary hypertension.
“The chambers of the heart are not in order, and the vessels that pump blood in and out are in the wrong direction,” she cited.

Speaking on the measures to medically manage the condition, pending public response to her plea for fund to undergo the surgery, Mrs. Odiete said: “It was discovered that he used to have rapid breathing and vomiting after every meal given to him.

“Most times in the hospital, medical officers put him on oxygen because of abnormal breathing. He is kept on anti- hearth failure drugs such as captoprie, frusemide, laxis and sometimes anti-biotic to prevent infection. He is prone to infection at this stage”, she added.

According to Echocardiogram report signed and made available to Daily Sun, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist Dr. B.A. Animasahun revealed that master Odiete’s condition medically showed among others, large inlet VSD with perimembraneous extension, which indicates a factor in murmur and breathlessness.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Ezinne Odiete is sending a save-a-soul plea to good-spirited Nigerians to enable her son undergo the surgery. She quoted the consultant, who is coordinating the surgery as saying: “It needs to be treated as soon as possible.”
Note: You can reach Mrs. Ezinne Odiete on 08035156608. Donations can be made through Nwosu Ezinne Jennifer; Guarantee Trust Bank, AccountNo. 0003936105.

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