A five-month-old baby, Al-Ameen Odunsi, has been diagnosed with heart problems and would require N10 million for corrective surgery. The young Odunsi, who is the son of the principal news producer at Voice Of Nigeria (VON), has been in and out of hospital. An echocardiography report showed that the baby has a complete atrioventricular canal defect with moderate pulmonary hypertension.
Atrioventricular relates to the atrial and ventricular chambers of the heart, or the connection or coordination between them. According to a medical report signed by a Consultant Paediatrician at Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Majiyagbe Omotola, baby Odunsi needs further cardiovascular evaluation and surgical correction of the cardiac defect in order to prevent life-threatening complications.
Confirming the development, a consultant attending to him at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta, Dr. Ray Adebayo, said the patient was admitted into the hospital on Wednesday, July 12, with a complicated health condition that requires immediate medical attention.
He said: “Odunsi’s case is very critical and requires immediate medical attention. He has accumulated fluids in his heart, which prevents smooth water passage.
“Normally, the surgery should have been done within the first three to six months of his delivery to avert irreversible damage, but perhaps, due to some challenges, it was not. An estimated amount of N10 million is required for the surgical operations.
“The family has been in and out of hospitals in the last few days for medical appointments, as efforts are being made to drain fluid in the heart of baby Odunsi.
“The baby is expected to undergo heart surgery at the Evercare Hospital, Lekki, Lagos, as soon as the fund is raised,” Adebayo stated.
The family is soliciting the support of Nigerians, corporate organisations as well as philanthropists for little Odunsi’s treatment to enable him to live like other children.
Donations can be made through the father’s account details: Account Name- Odunsi Taofeeq Olasubomi; Account Number- 0046902167; Bank- Gtbank, while the father could be reached on 08028109497.
