Baby Zion's Fundraising Drive

Imagine this: you are 6 months pregnant and out of the blue, your water breaks!

You are soon to be a first-time mom. Everything you’re experiencing about pregnancy is new, foreign even, but you’re up for the challenge because this is all you’ve been hoping for.

In this particular moment, you’re neither sure about what you’re currently experiencing nor do you fully understand the severity of what just transpired. You realize that this is not something that should be happening at this stage, something is off and you should seek immediate medical attention.

However, to further complicate matters, getting to your doctor or the nearest hospital at this point in time is not that simple. You’re in the middle of “nation-wide lockdown” because of the havoc the covid-19 Delta variant is wrecking all over the country. It’s already difficult to get adequate prenatal care with restricted movement/travel allowed and worse still, hospitals and all medical facilities stretched beyond capacity.

In a matter of minutes, your life and that of your unborn son are in critical danger. This combination of unfortunate circumstances are what befell my dear friend, Joyce.

Eddie and Joyce Okila were expecting a baby boy due first week of October 2021. Being first-time parents, they were delighted about growing their family and were planning towards this date.

Very unexpectedly, on 27th June 2021, at 9:00 pm, Joyce's water broke. Upon realizing what had just happened, she was rushed to Nakasero Hospital located in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. In just a matter of 40 minutes she had lost 90% of her amniotic fluid—this is very dangerous for both baby and mom. Different tests, scans and interventions were done all night to try and contain the leak and replace the lost fluids, but by 4:00 am the same night, she started bleeding profusely and was immediately rushed to theatre for emergency surgery. With barely any amniotic fluid left, coupled with the complications from the bleeding, both mom and baby's lives were at great risk.

Weighing only 750g, baby Zion was born at 25 weeks and 5 days. He was immediately rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because he was not breathing, thankfully, his body temperature was warm, a positive sign of life. 3 hrs later, without much change to his condition, just when he was about to pronounced dead, he stretched his tiny leg and was presumed to still be alive. During the course of the night, his condition slowly stabilized.

Conversely, several hours later, Joyce came out of surgery after the battle of her life. She has lost so much blood but thankfully made it out of surgery alive, albeit still in a critical state.

After spending 41 days in the NICU, Zion starting absorbing breast milk, though still on oxygen, he’s stable and his vital organs are developing and functioning the way they should. As of 10th August 2021, he weighs 1,240g which is a such a huge milestone.

Joyce is currently home where she has continued her journey toward healing. The past 7 weeks have not been without their challenges: trying to regain her strength, having lost so much blood while expressing breastmilk for Baby Zion. Thankfully, she is much better and steadily improving.

While Eddie and Joyce as well as all their relatives and friends are elated about this progress, the costs associated with having Baby Zion in NICU have had a significant toll on the Okila's savings and income. On average, they spend approximately $710 per day (Ugx 2,500,000/=), to keep Baby Zion alive.

As of 10th August 2021, the hospital bill stood at a whooping $8,500 (approx. Ugx 30,000,000/=), and this is after several payments by the parents on a weekly basis. It's estimated that they would need another 30 to 58 days at NICU.

As you can imagine, this has been a very difficult time for the Okila’s: with Joyce at home needing to focus on her health and Eddie juggling his time between work, checking in with Baby Zion, and helping to take care of Joyce. The least we can do is come together and support them. We are also aware that these are exceptionally tough times occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic but if you're in position to make any financial contribution toward Baby Zion’s medical bill, that would be greatly appreciated. Any amount you’re able to give will go a long way to enable the Okila’s to deal with this difficult but temporary phase of their lives.

For those in Uganda who would like to contribute any form of financial support towards the Nakasero bill for baby Zion, you can send your payment directly to Nakasero Hospital through:

- MTN MoMo Pay: Code - 140434

- Airtel Pay: Code - 1113516

Thank you very much for helping us ensure that Zion continues to have adequate medical attention.

Blessings!

Penina Acayo Laker
On behalf of Joyce and Eddie Okila.