A displaced mother of newborn triplets, Hindatu Lauwali, has appealed for food and financial assistance as her babies receive treatment for neonatal jaundice at the Federal Teaching Hospital, FTH, Birnin Kebbi.
Lauwali, who delivered two boys and a girl on October 25, made the appeal in an interview in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday. She fled Ragam village following a bandit attack and is currently living in an Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Kwargiye community, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The mother of three said bandits invaded and took over her village, forcing residents to flee their homes.
“Our village head, Muhammad Ragam, directed that I should be taken to the hospital.
“A joint Da’awa group took me to Zuru Local Government Area for further medical attention when my condition worsened,” she said.
Lauwali said she delivered the first baby without assistance, while medical personnel at Danko/Wasagu General Hospital helped deliver the other two.
She said health workers initially advised that the babies be transferred to Zuru General Hospital for further observation.
“When we reached Zuru, the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sanusi Mika’ilu-Sami, did his best for us.
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“With his assistance and that of the joint Da’awa groups in Zuru Emirate, we were transported to FTH, Birnin Kebbi, because the triplets urgently needed observation and care,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the emir, the joint Da’awa groups and the Kebbi chapter of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, IMAN, for supporting the family.
Lauwali said she was unable to produce enough breast milk for the babies, who require special care.
“As a family living in an IDP camp, how can I get enough nutritious food to boost my breast milk?” she asked.
The State Amirat of IMAN, Nurse Khadijat Muhammad, said Lauwali had a successful vaginal delivery, but the newborns were diagnosed with neonatal jaundice.
Muhammad said the leadership of the joint Da’awa groups contacted the association to provide assistance to the family at the hospital.
“We have done our best and assisted them, but it is not enough because we are also caring for other less privileged patients,” she said.
She appealed to wealthy individuals, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and wives of the state governor to support the family.
NAN
