Nine-year-old Anood Al-Shammari's plight began the minute she was born. Starved of oxygen during birth, the subsequent treatment given to her caused further deterioration and she became fully paralyzed. Her father’s lack of financial capability stands in the way of treating the little girl who is in need of six operations to ease her pain.
Abdullah Khalaf Al-Shammari, Anood’s father, told local press of his daughter’s ordeal. Anood was born at King Khalid General Hospital in Hafr Al-Batin. She suffered from an oxygen deficiency at birth and was incubated for 45 days. During the first six months of her life, her family noticed her slow movement and took her to hospital. She was put on medication but there was no improvement.
“We took Anood to the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh and they referred her to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City because it specializes in such cases. She was given physical therapy for a month but was regressing and spent many sleepless nights due to the pain,” he said.
Al-Shammari took Anood to Kuwait with the help of one of his acquaintances. There, she was admitted to Ibn Siena Hospital. Dr. Tareq Al-Sheikh, consultant neurologist, examined the little girl. After conducting tests and X-rays, Anood was diagnosed with hip dislocation and scoliosis (distortion in the spine). These complications were caused by premature physical therapy.
The doctor has said the child needs testing for anesthesia before she can undergo surgery. Doctors also need to implant a baclofen pump that can be injected with a nerve relaxant substance. In addition, Anood needs a vein-lengthening operation, osteopathy to the hips and rehabilitation, as well as physical therapy.
Al-Shammari hopes he can treat his daughter abroad but needs to find ground floor accommodation since doctors have warned him against carrying her following surgery.
Girl starved of oxygen at birth in need of six operations
