Child fighting cancer contracts syphilis - Family demands answers from hospital

A child already battling cancer is now facing another devastating blow after reportedly contracting syphilis during a blood transfusion, leaving her family traumatised and demanding answers.

The child, who has been undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia since last year, has spent months in and out of hospital receiving chemotherapy and multiple blood transfusions. But in a shocking turn, her parents were called into an emergency meeting earlier this month and told that their daughter had tested positive for syphilis antibodies, allegedly linked to blood she received during treatment.

"We are worried and we are scared," the mother said, her voice breaking. "She already going through so much with the cancer and now we have to think about this and what will happen." She described the emotional toll as overwhelming, saying the development has pushed her into isolation and deep distress.

"Mi just a cry, mi will be in a vehicle and just a cry," she said. "If a did me, mi would feel better. It traumatise me."

According to her, the child has endured aggressive chemotherapy since September, often needing platelet and blood transfusions after each round due to dangerously low blood counts.

Now, doctors have reportedly started intensive treatment for syphilis, administering medication every six hours over a 14-day period.

"They say it is just antibodies but yet still, dem treating it aggressive. We not getting a clear explanation. Something go wrong along the line and nobody nah tell wi what happen." The family said repeated requests for the child's medical records have been denied, adding to their frustration.

"I will be asking for the medical report and dem say no," she said. "It's crazy, we just want to know how this happen? What this mean for her future?"

The uncertainty has left the entire household shaken. Siblings have been affected too.

"Her siblings dem miss her. One a dem just start cry at school and the teacher haffi call me," the mother said.

Attorney Bert Samuels said the situation raises serious legal concerns and points to possible medical negligence.

"All hospitals are supposed to exercise due diligence and care for their patients, and in the case of transfusion, this calls for extra care," he explained.

"That means the blood ought to have been tested and cleared for all communicable diseases. It is going to be very difficult for the hospital to get out of liability for this. The fact that it is a child does not change the principle. Once a patient is infected through transfusion, there is a strong basis for a claim."

He also noted that medical records belong to the patient, and in the case of a minor, the parent has full access.

"Once requested and paid for, those records must be provided," he added.

Despite considering legal action, the mother admitted she feels trapped, as her child remains in the hospital's care.

"You don't know what to do. She still need treatment so we have to careful," she said. The family said they are now left balancing fear, hurt, and uncertainty, while their child continues to fight two battles at once.

"This likkle child go into the grave and come back out. And now this?" the mother lamented.