A MOTHER’S HOPE FOR A MIRACLE
They say that every day holds the possibility of a miracle… And for Junaisah’s mother, Saimah Diator, each day symbolizes a new hope for her daughter’s future.
As reported by the Department of Health (DOH), Junaisah is the first confirmed polio case in the Philippines. She is a 4-year-old girl from Marogong, Lanao del Sur and a very independent and cheerful daughter to her family.
The Philippines was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) back in 2000. After 19 years since its declaration, DOH announced a national polio outbreak last September 2019 and confirmed the re-emergence of polio in the country.
According to WHO, Poliomyelitis or polio is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. It can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis once the virus is transmitted.
On June, Junaisah (who was 3 years old then) had a fever for days and while she was on her way to her chamber pot to pee when she suddenly lost balance and fell on the floor. “Natulala ako… Bakit hindi na siya makalakad?,” her mother said. [“I was so shocked to see her fall… Why can’t she suddenly walk?,” her mother said.]
It was a shocking moment for her family, especially to her mother. As Saimah recalled, she never had any problems with Junaisah while she was growing up. She was even nicknamed “Donut” by her family since she looks very healthy with her round and chubby cheeks.
And even at such a young age, Junaisah already knows how to take a bath on her own and choose her clothes by herself. She loves playing around and being silly at times just like any other kid.
Her parents decided to take her to Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Marawi City and was admitted on June 26. Junaisah underwent a series of tests and was detected with Vaccine Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (VPDV 2). They have been doing rehabilitation exercises for Junaisah but the hospital does not have the necessary equipment to support her rehabilitation.
Also, Junaisah was not able to complete her vaccination when she was younger because her parents were busy with work. They used to sell goods at 168 Mall in Divisoria before going back in Lanao del Sur and Baby Junaisah was always left with under her grandmother’s care while they work.
Having heard of the story, UNICEF who has been supporting the efforts of DOH sought help from Physicians for Peace Philippines (PFPP) to have Junaisah and her parents be transported to Manila for early intervention. PFPP Chief Operating Officer and Past District Governor Lyne Abanilla of Rotary International District 3810 immediately reached out to the parents of Junaisah and Rotarians from Mindanao.
On November 6, Junaisah and her parents finally arrived in Manila through the efforts and coordination of PFPP, PDG Lyne Abanilla (Rotary Club of Intramuros) and fellow Rotarian, Dr. Mic Mic Gandamra Taib of Rotary Club of Iligan City. They were also immediately taken to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for assessment and rehabilitation.
Dr. Josephine Bundoc of PFPP insisted that Junaisah be brought in Manila to receive further therapy and rehabilitation at PGH ACCESS Hub, a one-stop shop for Children with Disabilities (CWDs) which houses services for the 4 categories of disability – mobility, developmental, hearing and vision.
According to her rehab doctor at PGH, Dr. Kreza Ligaya, Junaisah was initially shy when they first met. She has poor mobility function due to acute flaccid paralysis and greatly depends on her mother’s assistance. She received two sessions of therapy since then and had shown great improvements with walking, standing and balancing.
“Ngayon, medyo naglalakad na siya [Junaisah] nang hindi na gaanong natutumba kasi noon, ‘di sya makapaglakad ng mabilis tapos pag hinahawakan mo siya, medyo nakakabalance na. May improvement na… natutuwa ako kasi baka ito na yung miracle na makakapaglakad na sya,” her mother said.
[“Junaisah can now walk without falling too much unlike before when she cannot walk fast enough. Even if you hold her, she can balance herself already. There are improvements in her and I am very happy to think that these may lead to a miracle where she will be able to walk again,” her mother said.]
Furthermore, Junaisah is the very first beneficiary of the Children with Disabilities – Mobility Benefit Package from PhilHealth which means that her assessment, provision of assistive technology and rehabilitation services are now covered by Philhealth. We were able to provide her with needed assistive devices such as wheelchair, walker and her custom-made KAFO (Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis) braces.
“Si Nanay has to put her in diapers because she is being bodily carried pero ngayon, she already has braces and walker. Her mother can now do other things in the house. Junaisah can also play with her peers and Nanay could also do other things which could help them and si Tatay naman can go back to work. It really impacts the [whole] family,” Dr. Bundoc said.
[“Her mother has to put her in diapers because she is being bodily carried but now, she already has braces and walker. Her mother can now to other things in the house. Junaisah can also play with her peers and her mother could also do other things which could help them and her father can go back to work. It really impacts the whole family,” Dr. Bundoc said.]
Junaisah and her parents went back to Lanao del Sur on November 20 and will continue receiving rehabilitation services in APMC. Her therapy will be three times a week and since they live far from the hospital, Junaisah and Saimah will have to stay at her mother’s place in Marantao for the meantime while her father continues to work in Marogong.
Before, her parents were not sure if they can even afford to go in Manila for Junaisah’s rehabilitation but thanks to all the help that they had received, their renewed hopes made them stronger for Junaisah and the rest of their kids.
Realizing the importance of vaccination and immunization, Saimah would like to leave a short message to everyone, especially to mothers like her. “Sana ipabakuna nila ang mga anak nila para ‘di sila magaya sa anak ko. Ngayon na nagkatotoo ito sa akin, dapat talaga may immunization. Kailangan talaga ang mga vaccine para hindi sila magkasakit,” she shared. [“I hope that they let their children receive proper vaccination and immunization so that they won’t experience what we are experiencing now. Vaccination is really needed so that our children would not get sick,” she shared.
They would like to express their deepest gratitude to everyone that helped Junaisah. They wish that Junaisah’s condition will further improve so that eventually she can start walking on her own again and can go to preschool next school year.
TEAM JUNAISAH
DOH, WHO, UNICEF, PFPP and Rotary will keep in touch with Junaisah and her family to look over her progress. As more confirmed cases of polio come to light, we would like to ask everyone to help us identify these patients so that we can offer them the same help that Junaisah and her family received.
**************************
Sending off Junaisah, the 3 year old girl who contracted paralytic Polio last June 2019, back to Marawi! . Unicef and Physicians for Peace Philippines (PFPP) took good care of Junaisah for two weeks at PGH ACCESS Hub with clinical interventions and Rehab, provided braces for her legs, walker and Wheelchair, just in case she will need one , instead of her Mom carrying her. She will undergo continuing therapy at Amaipakpak in Marawi. Thank you Philhealth.
#Enablingpoliovictimtowardsfunctionalmobility
#PGHUnicefPFPPpartnershipcontinues
“Team Junaisah” is raring to go and look after the 3 other Polio victims… Thank you everyone for the wonderful collaboration… We did it! Grateful for the opportunity to serve! Junaisah is the 3 year old girl who contracted paralytic Polio last June 2019….
