Agony Of A 21-Month Old Baby Losing Both Eyes
14.06.2013, 16:35 Local
When baby Favour Adam-Umoh was born 21 months ago into
the Family of Mr. and Mrs. Blessing Adams, Favour appeared
normal as a growing baby and there was nothing unpleasant
about her health, particularly her eyes to raise any suspicion
that something was remarkably wrong with her sight.
But six months later, the signs began to manifest.
The state of her health then may have spured her parents to
name her Favour - a gift bestowed as a token of goodwill, kind
regard, love by God.
But, today, Favour is struck with a strange eye disease which
medical doctors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching
Hospital, Nnewi, confirmed to be congenital glaucoma.
Presently, Favour with bulging of the right eye which is now
affecting the left eye, further medical examination revealed that
the baby has cancer of the eye.
According to her doctors, if there is no urgent medical
intervention, poor Favour will lose her both eyes.
The parents have been going from pillar to post, looking for
solution but all efforts to help baby Favour have proved abortive.
All the way from Onitsha, her mother, Blessing Adam came to
Lagos recently in search of a miracle that could help transform
the condition of her baby girl.
The 28-year-old mother was advised to seek further solution in a
faith based institution by a friend. So, she went to the TB
Joshua's Synagogue church of all nations in Lagos.
According to her, "I went to TB Joshua's church on Wednesday
and waited patiently for me to be called upon but all
expectations failed.
"Unfortunately, it was not the time for cancer patients. So, I left
and went back the following day. Again, my baby's name was not
called. So, I felt bad and left because I did not want my baby to
die.
"I was in a bus when a good Samaritan man saw the condition of
the baby and advised that I should go to Vanguard that I must
surely get help.
"I am a petty trader and my husband drives a hired Keke Marwa.
We both live in Onitsha but we are a native of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom
State.
"I did not know anywhere in Lagos but with the help of the man,
I was able to locate Vanguard premises", she added.
Narrating the sorry tales of her baby's health, she said, "Favour
started scratching her eyes when she was six months old.
"At first, I never envisaged it was a serious issue. So, I did not
take her to the hospital immediately, but took her to nearby
Chemist shop and the man advised that, I should apply eye
drops and give her some Vitamin C syrup which I did.
"Unfortunately, there was no changes in her as the day goes by,
so, I stopped the eye drops and the drug. Then, I sought help
elsewhere. I then started going from one church to another just
to get help.
"A pastor told me that it was a spiritual problem and that it can
only be tackled with prayers. So, I started going from one church
to another. And since the incident, I had gone to seven different
churches but all efforts were to no avail.
"After a while, my husband advised that I should take her to
University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and there I was told that
her eyes were already damaged and it will be removed.
"The doctor said, an operation will be carried out on the girl but
I do not know the cost of the operation. I was scared because I
did not want my baby's eyes to be removed, so I left.
"Although, the doctor said removing the eyes will help save the
life of the baby but I do not agree that her eyes should be
removed.
"Before taking her to University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, I
had gone to Guinness hospital, Onitsha where I was given some
drugs. But, there was no changes. I was then given a letter to go
to Nnewi for laboratory test.
"Unfortunately, we are financially incapacitated so, I could not go
for the laboratory test as quickly as possible as prescribed. But,
when we finally went, it was also discovered that she is having
cancer of the eye.
Since, the incident, the baby has been passing through severe
pain. She cannot sleep at night. I only carry her on my back
everyday and night. She cries so much such that she hardly sleep
at night. Her siblings, a boy and a girl are presently at Onitsha",
she lamented.
Asked, if there was any history of eye problem in her family, she
said, "My mother-in-law has eye problem. My husband told me it
was witchcraft that caused her eye problem.
When Vanguard contacted Namdi Azikwe University Teaching
hospital on the issue, Professor Onyekwe who is in charge of the
case, disclosed to this reporter that an 'Filteration surgery of the
eye' will have to be carried out urgently to stop the enlargement
of the cancer.
He stated that the surgery which will take place at Guiness Eye
centre, Nnewi, Anambra state will cost the sum of N100,000.
Right now, the mother is calling on well meaning Nigerians to
help baby Favour stay alive. Her account name is: Ini Adam-
Umoh, account number: 2044779539 UBA. Her mother, Blessing
Adam can be reached on 07083188829 and 07033996463.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/agony-of-a-21-month-old-baby-losing-both-eyes/

Poor child. My heart goes out to her.