Help our son, family says

(Tuesday, June 28, 2005)

THE family of a 10-year-old in urgent need of medical treatment abroad is pleading for help.

Krishan Narayan of Naikabula, Lautoka, was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) with secondary cardiac failure in 1996.

Since his diagnosis, Krishan's condition has continued to deteriorate.

He has been admitted at Lautoka Hospital several times for heart failure and severe anaemia.

In a medical report addressed to anyone who is willing to help the child, hospital paediatrician, Doctor Rigamoto Taito said Krishan had frequented the paediatric clinic with medical conditions such as rheumatic heart disease and learning disability.

Dr Taito said while he was continuing mainstream education, Krishan had a very poor academic performance because of a learning disability caused by his sickness

It was recommended that Krishan be enrolled in a special school where his needs would be effectively addressed.

"His development has been delayed but he has caught up with motor milestones.

"He now speaks fluent Hindi," Dr Taito said.

"He had a stormy neonatal period with recurrent sepsis and was diagnosed with PDA by Doctor Gary Scholler in 1996, with secondary cardiac failure.

"His PDA has spontaneously closed."

Krishan's father, Jai Narayan said for the past few months, he had been trying to collect enough money to ensure his son received proper medical treatment abroad.

But while Mr Narayan said the family had managed to secure about $7000, they required at least $25,000 to pay for his full treatment.

"Krishan is my youngest child and he really needs the treatment so we are pleading with the public for any assistance they can give," he said.

"My relatives and I have been going around the Western Division trying to get help for my son so that he is be sent overseas," Mr Narayan said.

He said his family was hoping public goodwill would be able to provide Krishan with a better life.

He said anyone interested in helping the family could make donations to the Krishan's treatment account at the Colonial Bank, account number: 4843527

FROM: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=23852