COVID-19, others stall surgery on 4-year-old without anus

Nearly a year on four-year-old Sa’idu Mohammed, born without an anus, is yet to undergo surgery at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital to correct his situation.

The case was first reported on December 13, 2019 after which some Good Samaritans offered to foot the bill of his medical expenses.

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Saidu, who is based in Potiskum,  Yobe State, has been passing excreta with the help of tubes inserted by doctors since he was two weeks old.

Moments after making appeal through Kanem Trust by his father Mohammed Bab,  a commercial driver, and the child’s father, some good Samaritans pledged their support including settling the cost for medical surgery.

He was then taken to the AKTH where doctors examined him and asked the parents to come back in April 2020 to enable him gain more weight for the surgery.

However, the advent of COVID-19 which resulted in a nationwide lockdown put the operation on hold.

Soon after the ease of the lockdown a twin misfortune struck the family which forced the suspension of Sa’idu’s trip to Kano for the surgery.

According to the father, who spoke with Kanem Trust, Sa’idu’s mother took ill  as they were about to travel to Kano after the easing of the lockdown which forced them to postpone the trip.

“After she recovers one of my daughters fall sick and as I speak to you she  died last three weeks.

He, however, said the family was arranging for the trip to Kano for the surgery.

Babi said he was in touch with the donor, who is still interested in picking the bill for the surgery

Similarly, he added, the doctors and given him assurance of their readiness to perform the surgery soon.

“I spoke with him (the donor) three days ago. I am happy to also announce that the medical doctor who will perform the surgery was speaking to me through his personal assistant”

“He finally invited us to appear before the medical team at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, on the December 10, 2020, and I pray it would be the best thing that will happen to us.

“I was very conscious of following the doctors instructions on his diet, though I found it difficult to buy the food and medication due to my financial condition,” he said.