Father Cries for help to Save Two Months Old Baby Suffering from Severe Sores

Kakata, Margibi County – Isaiah Gontuah, father of a two month old child who was born and diagnosed with Ichthyosis, a severe sore covering the child’s entire body, is pleading with the Government of Liberia, humanitarian institutions and international partners for financial assistance to enable him fund the child’s medication.

According to Gontuah, his son, Godgive Gontuah, was diagnosed of the disease called Ichthyosis; making it difficult for the child to eat, sleep or drink.  The child constantly cries from the pain and body ache caused by the sores.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), Ichthyosis is a condition that causes widespread and persistent thick, dry, “fish-scale” skin. The skin of a person with ichthyosis is rough, dry and scaly and needs to be regularly moisturized

Mr. Gontuah said he does not know the exact cost of the treatment but many of the syrups he used is sold around US$25 to 30 dollars per bottle.

The infant, Godgive Gontuah stays in Kakata with his Mom and father who have struggled in seeking medication for their dying child but says there are no resources (money) to further the testing and treatment process.

He said on most occasions, his family is being avoided by community members and friends because of his child’s condition. The action he says, had kept little Godgive Gontuah for fear of being bullied and stigmatization.

By: William Howard