The illness of a one-year-old girl, Fatoumata Tunkara, has gotten worse barely a week after her discharge from the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH).
A medical report by the RVTH revealed that Fatoumata is suffering from hydrocephalus (an accumulation of fluid in the brain) and anaemia. The baby needs urgent financial assistance to treat the illness in Dakar.

Suntukun Tunkara, the child’s father and a resident of Kerr Sereign, walked into the Daily Observer offices, looking depressed and unsettled about his daughter’s six-month long running illness.

He told the Daily Observer that Fatoumata has been re-admitted at the RVTH, because of her deteriorating condition. “Her head continues to get swollen and she needs assistance to restore her health”, he said.

He said the baby had undergone treatment at the RVTH with no significant improvement, and added that the doctors have decided to transfer the case for further investigation and treatment to Dakar. “I am therefore seeking assistance from individuals and organisations to help save my daughter’s life. Her condition is deteriorating,” he appealed.

“Since the first publication on the paper, we received a call from the US and the individual advised me to open a bank account. I have complied and the account - in the baby’s and my name - is at the Arab Gambia Islamic Bank branch at West Field. The savings account number is: 2121 0156 39101,” he said.

Any one who wishes to assist Fatoumata Tunkara could contact the Daily Observer, or the baby’s parents on 7060820, 9924218 or 4464435.