Case Study observed, experienced and narrated by: Martha Sunda...

G.N. is a girl aged 4 years old. an HIV Aids orphan living positively after both of her parents died from the virus.  She is being taken care of by her aunt Rose.  She took her in at the age of 3 after the death of her mother.  After the death of her brother, G.N's mother conceived.  She never attended antenatal clinic, delivery was at home and immediately G.N was put on the breast.  Her mother was full blown with the virus but refused to heed advice as she was in denial.  G.N breastfed for 2 years and 11 months.

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Her mother’s health deteriorated and she passed away living 4 children as orphans.  Then Rose came in.  Rose is a lady with a big heart, a mother of 5 children and guardian to 2 HIV Aids orphans. She immediately sent her own son to go and live with her brother’s 3 children at home (Makindu).  Since G.N was not healthy, she took her in.

The first time I met GN, she did not look positive.  She had normal weight but her skin was thin and a bit light.  Her hair was thin.  Though she looked healthy I thought the weight was not normal she had difficulties in walking.  I got her history she was being fed on the normal diet of the family. I advised Rose to take her to hospital for check up.  She was not on any medication.  I gave her supplements.

     After two weeks I visited her and found she had been taken ill. Rose had taken her to Nyumbani Lea Toto in Mukuru Kaiyaba slum; a place that caters for HIV Aid children.  There she had been given porridge that is supposedly given to HIV Aids patients.  Surprisingly the weight I thought was good had gone down.  She was not given any medication because her CD count was low.  The CD count was and still is 200.  ARV's can only be administered to persons whose CD count is 500 and above. I advised her auntie Rose to take her to IDH Mbagathi Hospital.  She had supplements, so I did not give her any except liquid soap.

    On my third visit, there was no improvement; she was not on any medication.  She had finished the supplements, she looked weak and her weight had gone down.  We realized she was under weight, weighing only 5.6 Kgs. This clearly a result of feeding difficulties due to sores in her mouth and diarrhea. She also had herpes, but she had ointment to apply.  I advised Rose to take her back to IDH Mbagathi Hospital.

     I visited again; they had not gone to Hospital because of lack of bus fare. Together with a friend, we made arrangements for her to go back to hospital.

Case Study 2

"The face of Innocence"

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