A 3-year-old child has been flown to Jamaica for life-saving treatment after a rapid community effort to raise funds for the air evacuation.
Hundreds of donors chipped in to raise more than $20,000 in the space of two days, so tiny Imani Hanson could be evacuated off the island.
She suffered breathing difficulties and a collapsed lung that doctors believe could be linked to complications associated with a previous infection of COVID-19.
The child did not have valid health insurance at the time of the diagnosis. But the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston will treat her for free.
Cayman charity Acts of Random Kindness organised a community campaign that raised the funds for the air transfer, which took place on a specially chartered Cayman Airways plane this afternoon.
Mother, Malonia, who works as an agriculturist and part-time educator, said she was “ecstatic” when she learned the flight had been approved Thursday morning.
“I am humbled and full of appreciation,” she added. Later Thursday evening she confirmed that they had arrived safely in Jamaica.
She said her daughter had been in hospital since 21 Feb., after suffering from coughing fits and shortness of breath. She was found to have a collapsed lung and was put on a ventilator.
Malonia paid tribute to the doctors at the Health Services Authority, who treated her daughter for the last month.
They have identified chest and lung issues that require further examination from a paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and recommended she be flown overseas as soon as possible.
“It is a life-threatening situation as she is basically just using one lung,” said Malonia.
She and her husband, Omar, moved to the island in September from Jamaica. But complications with their insurance meant their daughter was not covered and the medical bills are now mounting up.
Terrifying situation
It has been terrifying for the couple to think that their child could be denied access to life-saving care.
“I am doing my best to hold it together for all of us,” she said.
“I always heard COVID didn’t really affect children so when I learned this could be associated with the virus, it was devastating.”
The exact links between the virus and the complications Imani is suffering are being explored along with other possible factors, but COVID – like other respiratory diseases – can cause longer term lung damage in rare cases.
Both Imani’s parents are vaccinated.
Malonia, who sleeps every night at her daughter’s hospital bedside, said Imani is the baby of the family – a bubbly and brilliant child, cherished by her parents and two older sisters.
“She is very scared at this time, she is so stressed her blood pressure is up.”
Once Imani gets the help she needs, her mother is confident she will pull through.
“She’s a fighter. She is a strong child and she has coped with everything so far. We just have to get her the support she needs.”
Once she arrives in Jamaica, specialists will examine her lungs before deciding how to proceed.
Ahead of the flight, HSA Medical Director Dr. Delroy Jefferson confirmed that Imani was stable and that a medical team from the authority would be providing continuous care throughout the transfer. Premier Wayne Panton released a statement later on Thursday sending best wishes to the family and praising the community for its response.
Fundraising campaign continues
Tara Nielsen, of ARK, which organised the appeal to raise funds for Imani’s air transfer, said the community had stepped up in record time.
Speaking Thursday morning, she said, “It took less than two days (to raise the funds) which is testament to the overwhelming generosity of the community. We had multiple donors come forward. I just sent over the money this morning and they are booked on the flight to Jamaica at 4pm.”
Nielsen said the fundraising does not stop there. The family still faces a hefty bill at the Health Services Authority and, though the Jamaican hospital will treat her for free, there are multiple other costs associated with family visits and ongoing care.
“We are continuing to raise funds to help this family so they are not stuck with a debt that they are paying off for the rest of their lives,” said Nielsen.
Anyone who can donate can find details on ARK’s Facebook page.
The page currently lists the following information:
Related Videos
