Amadou Jallow, resident of Bakau and a grade 7 student at Bakau Upper Basic School, needs assistance to undergo overseas medical treatment, after he was admitted at the OPD Clinic of the Medical Research Council.

According to Amadou’s medical report, signed by Dr Michael Walther, the 17-year old complains about occasional retrosternal discomfort and palpitations.
The report indicated that the patient also complains of hearing his own heartbeat in his head continuously without a cough; no shortness of breath neither on exercise nor at rest were detected; and no history of infections was been remembered.

A clinical examination on Amadou, indicated that visible capillary pulsation and pulsations of both aortic carotids occurred when resting and visible pulsations of the cardiac apex dislocated to the left lateral chest.

Amadou Jallow, the report added, has suffered an endocarditis in the past that has completely destroyed his aortic valve.
“However, he has now been diagnosed with a severe insufficiency of his aortic valve. This is a serious cardiac illness which if left untreated, will limit his life expectancy dramatically,” the report stated.

The report also held that Amadou’s “appropriate treatment” would consist in cardiac surgery, replacing the damaged aortic valve with a prosthesis. However, the report stated that his condition is currently stable and has not yet shown signs of cardiac insufficiency.
However, the report indicated that there is “no doubt that sooner or later” his condition will deteriorate and then surgery will be of limited value.

The report then recommended that since cardiac surgery cannot be carried out in The Gambia, Amadou needs support to facilitate his live-saving intervention.
“From the medical point of view, it is also recommended that it is now the right time to initiate the necessary interventions for the young talented boy, who would have the capacity to fully repay his country the service that would be offered to him,” it concluded.