Mandeni baby needs lifesaving heart operation

A Mandeni family is in dire straits after their 15-month-old baby was diagnosed with a severe heart condition in November last year.

Thinking that their baby girl, Naomi, was battling pneumonia, the Harris family was shocked when doctors at Stanger Hospital made an unexpected diagnosis – mitral regurgitation.

Mitral regurgitation, or mitral insufficiency, is a condition in which the mitral valve does not close completely, allowing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium.

This has resulted in an enlarged heart and poor weight gain.

After being discharged from Stanger hospital two weeks later, the family continued to take Naomi in for regular check-ups.

But disaster struck when she went into severe heart failure on December 26.

“She was ventilated at Sundumbili clinic and referred to Stanger hospital.

“We were than transferred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli hospital on the 27th,” said Naomi’s mother, Hazira (pictured with Naomi).

After being stabilized she was sent back to Stanger where she spent another two weeks and was soon allowed to go back home.

Although her medical bills were now piling up, Naomi’s family had to make the tough decision to take her to a private hospital in Johannesburg in order to undergo a lifesaving procedure – mitral valve repair.

Stanger Hospital paediatric medical officer Nicole Gordon said that due to the complexity of her lesion and the damage it has already done to her heart, Durban doctors were unwilling to risk surgery.

“Thankfully though, a cardiothoracic surgical professor at Sunninghill has agreed to perform the life-saving surgery, albeit at very short notice,” said Gordon.

Although Naomi was initially put onto her aunt’s medical aid plan, there are multiple expenses that need to be covered.

“I had to stop work so I can be there for her 24/7. We need all the help we can get.”

The surgery was initially scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, but due to complications involving their medical aid, the procedure was postponed.

She will however remain admitted until a definitive plan is made.

If you would like to make a donation to the family, call Hazira on 079 656 3497 or Bridgette on 083 398 7190 or email blue18harris@yahoo.co.uk

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