By: Fatou Krubally
A young girl from Lamin has been recommended for urgent medical treatment abroad after doctors confirmed that the specialised surgery she needs is not currently available in The Gambia.
Fatima Kalley, a minor, was brought to the neurosurgery outpatient department by her parents in August 2023 after they noticed difficulties in her ability to walk properly from an early age.
According to medical findings, her condition has progressively affected her posture, with visible deformity of the upper spine.
Doctors who examined her reported that she is stable and conscious, with no immediate signs of distress.
However, further assessment revealed a significant curvature of the thoracic spine, confirmed through X-ray results. The condition, commonly associated with spinal deformity, requires specialised surgical intervention.
Medical personnel also noted that the patient had previously tested positive for sickle cell, which may require careful management alongside her current condition.
Due to the lack of scoliosis surgery services in the country, attending neurosurgery specialists have advised that she be taken overseas for definitive treatment.
The recommendation highlights on-going gaps in specialised healthcare services, as families continue to face the difficult option of seeking costly treatment abroad for conditions that cannot yet be managed locally.