Stem cell treatment off the table
The seven-year-old, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was scheduled for treatment this month but recurrent urinary tract infections and problems with her kidneys have forced her family to explore other treatment avenues
OWING to recurring infection and organ issues, Richards Bay’s Rhyah Sai Govender will no longer undergo stem cell treatment as planned in India.
The seven-year-old, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was scheduled for treatment this month but recurrent urinary tract infections and problems with her kidneys have forced her family to explore other treatment avenues.
They have contacted the Boston’s Children Hospital in the United States in an effort to find a panel of doctors who specialise in this condition.
Rhyah’s mother, Pamela, said the family has overcome the initial disappointment and is now focused on finding another way forward.
‘While searching for a panel of local doctors who specialise in assisting children with cerebral palsy, a professor at one of the academic hospitals told us such a panel does not exist in our country.
‘Over the past seven years we have had our fair share of nightmare experiences with some doctors in the country, and we felt many used our daughter as a test subject only.
Despite the poor prognosis, Rhyah Sai’s family has never given up in their efforts to improve the quality of her life and she went on to defy the medical odds.
‘While stem cell therapy treatment will still be in the grand plan of things, acquiring a team of doctors who specialise in treating cerebral palsy children who can assess and draw up a treatment plan for Rhyah Sai, is without a doubt the best course of action.
‘I would like to thank everyone who helped and supported our fund-raising drives last year and for all the love and encouragement shown towards our family,’ said Pamela.
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