By Nasratu Kargbo
Fatmata Sesay who recently gave birth to quadruplets needs medical attention, according to her husband Mohamed S. Kanu.
Speaking in an interview with Politico on the 5th January 2024, the drowsy father who had just woken up after a sleepless night helping his wife attend to their four babies explained that his wife has been complaining and experiencing severe stomach pains, but stated that they could not afford to go to the hospital, and therefore called on the public to help them.
“She needs medical attention, she looks pale and all we’ve been able to do for now is buy her blood syrups” Kanu said.
Responding to a question regarding the manner of her delivery, the young man said his wife gave birth normally without any emergency medical procedure, and was discharged from hospital after a week.
Kanu who is an apprentice in a printing workshop said they are in dire need of financial support to take care of his wife and kids.
When asked whether he would want the children adopted, the father of five said they have no intention of putting up their children for adoption, but need financial help to start up a business that will serve as a source of income for him to support his family. He noted that they want to raise their children for themselves.
Explaining how life has changed since the birth of the four babies, the father explained that he and his wife have been unable to sleep because they have to attend to the kids at night when they cry, adding that the babies take turns in crying and sleeping.
He said that his mother had to travel from the village to help take care of her grandchildren.
In addition, he said the babies are being breastfed, but was quick to note that the breastmilk has not been enough for them and they resorted to buying milk as another alternative for the kids. He explained that the milk is expensive and that it does not last long considering they have four babies to feed, further explaining that when they want to manage how they are fed, the babies cry endlessly.
“We need people who would help us financially to raise these kids, having four kids to take care of in this country now is not easy. Even the one we had was not easy, and now we are blessed with another four” Kanu said.
On whether they did scanning during the pregnancy , the young man explained that they visited a hospital in Waterloo where they were told that they should expect four babies. Kanu said he doubted the report and went into a heated argument with the doctor, saying that how he can have four twins in this difficult economy.
He further explained that they were referred to another hospital which was Ola During Children’s Hospital (cottage) where they were told to expect a set of twins contrary to the other doctor’s findings.
Kanu said they have visited various media outlets and the Ministry of Social Welfare, but have been unable to get help except from people in his community who have been helping them with the little they have.
The quadruplets were born on the 29th November 2023, of which three are girls and the other a boy. The couple now have five children, including the eldest a girl aged 3.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (10/01/24)
