Busia Boy Battling Sickle Cell To Undergo Skin Grafting After Developing Sudden Wound

• A young boy from Busia is confronting the challenges posed by an unexpected wound that has led to an urgent need for skin grafting
• Robert Were, the father of the afflicted teenager, Reinard Were, shared their family's journey shedding light on the ordeal they have been enduring
• Reinard was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at the tender age of six months; they have been diligently managing the condition through a regimen of daily medicine

A family from Busia is grappling with a perplexing medical situation as they seek to provide the best care for their son, who has been battling sickle cell anaemia.

Boy diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at six months

Reinard Were developed a mysterious wound on his leg that has been growing in size, leaving his family desperately seeking solutions.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Reinard's father, Robert Were, said the Form Three student was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at just six months old.

"The boy was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia when he was only six months old and we have been managing it with blood transfusions and he uses medicine like hydrea and folic everyday," said Were.

However, in October 2022, a seemingly innocent pimple on his leg began a perplexing and distressing ordeal.

Robert said what started as an itchy pimple quickly escalated into a rapidly expanding wound when Reinard accidentally scratched it.

With each passing day, the wound grew larger, defying efforts to bring it under control.

How was the wound treated?

The family sought help at Holy Family Hospital Nangina in Busia County, where doctors could only manage the wound through regular cleaning and dressing.

As the wound continued to grow despite their efforts, the family decided to bring Reinard to Nairobi for more specialized treatment.

They were eventually referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after an initial assessment at Eagle Nursing Home in Kangemi.

However, the financial burden of multiple hospital visits left the family drained, prompting them to return to Nangina, where doctors closely followed Reinard's case.

"It started as a rush that was in December 2022. It expanded to what you see now. We tried treatement in various medical institutions, but doctors never figured even we, as parents, were almost losing hopes," said Were

Upon their return, doctors recommended skin grafting as a potential solution for the wound's healing. The procedure came with a price tag of KSh 400,000, a sum the family struggled to raise.

Family seeks help for son's skin grafting

Despite their financial constraints, the hospital and the family agreed to proceed with the procedure while exploring ways to raise the necessary funds.

Often, Reinard's school stepped in to offer financial assistance to the family for his treatment, but the family's situation remains challenging.

They are now appealing to well-wishers to help them raise funds to cover the costs of the procedure as well as his ongoing sickle cell treatment.

"Doctors decided to do grafting to seal the wound, that process was to cost KSh 400,000 we requested NHIF but it was prepaid for the next one year but my situation could not allow me," said Robert

The family is grateful for any support they receive, with contributions directed to Robert Were. For contributions, please contact Robert Were at +254718 386457

According to Mayo Clinic, sickle cell anaemia is one of a group of inherited disorders known as sickle cell disease. It affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body.

Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anaemia, some red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons.

These sickle cells also become rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow.

There's no cure for most people with sickle cell anaemia. Treatments can relieve pain and help prevent complications associated with the disease.

Boy with sickle cell worried after roommates die

Separately, in 2022, then-17-year-old Michael Otieno made headlines after disclosing that he admitted himself to the Narok County Hospital because no one else was willing to.

He disclosed that he was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at the age of two months and had lived through seasons of pain and uncertainty his entire life.

In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, the ailing youngster decried the fact that the friends he had in the ward were gone, leaving him alone.

"My end is near, I just need some hug and support. Anyone who needs to visit me can call me so as to ask for directions," he said, disclosing that he is currently in the Prime Care Unit.