The Sokum family of Fufuo in the Atwima Nwabiagya District are appealing to the public to help them raise funds for the surgery of their four months child suffering from an imperforate anus defect.

An imperforate anus according to healthline is a birth defect that happens while your baby is still growing in the womb. This defect means that your baby has an improperly developed anus, and therefore cannot pass stool normally from their rectum out of their body.

According to the child’s mother, Jennifer Sokum, the family realised of the birth defect after being discharged, same day of her conception without the notice of physiscians. She made known that she was indeed troubled as to why her third born-bouncing baby would go through such a misfortune but in all, she was assured by doctors that when the baby is operated, he could regain normalcy.

The child according to Jennifer Sukom passes stool through a puncture created by his side, in between his ribs.

“The doctors created the hole to enable the child pass stool. I paid GH₵2,500 cedis for that surgery to be done and I am appealing to the public to help me raise funds to support the surgery of my child.

The father of the child, Isaac Sukom, a Northerner residing with his family in the Atwima Nwabiagya District narrated that he was very depressed to see the boy in such a condition on the first day when he was alerted by wife of the condition after they arrived home.

“She conceived the baby at dawn so due to the gloomy atmospheric condition, the nurse could not identify the defect and released us home. My wife later called and when I saw a baby in such a condition, I cried. I gave up hope of being in such a world since this is the second time I have been through such an instance."

Isaac told SoireeNews on a visit that she lost his first wife years ago through child birth. Two years later, the conceived boy departed from this life therefore, experiencing such a hard-hitting challenge for the third time indeed ended his hopes.

“When my first wife died, I was really struck. The death of my second son was a disaster and now this. My second wife (Jennifer) came into my life after two years of staying as a single man. Together we have two children. The defect child is the third and here we are in such a challenging time. Infact I asked myself whether I am not fit to be in this life.

“I called the nurse and she consoled us not to give up hope. She then directed us to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) that a surgery can be done to help the child regain fitness. We have invested a lot financially and I am not very strong now,” he worryingly said.

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He further explained that the operation was done by the side of the child because of the doctor’s inability to locate the rectum of the baby. Isaac continued that they were later notified by physicians to provide an amount of GH₵10,000 cedis for the surgery of the child.

“They told us that as the baby develops, the situation will get worse if not operated so we should provide an amount of GH₵10,000 cedis for his surgery. I spoke the the Unit Committee chairman and he promised to get people informed about the situation to help raise such an amount.

“I am appealing to the world to help me raise the money for the child’s surgery. The number for any money transfer is 0243 631463,” he pleaded.

The Committee chairman of Fufuo, Rockson Ntiamoah commended the boldness of the family for keeping the child inspite of his condition and begged the public to aid them monetarily to overcome the trial they are going through.

“They are northerners who have come to settle on this land to make ends meet. I am proud of their boldness unlike some people who would have decided to put to death such a fine baby. This is a life we are talking about and our appeal is to Ghanaians and the world to support the family,” he made known.

According to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, about 1 out of every 5,000 babies has an imperforate anus or other malformation of the anus or rectum. It occurs more often in boys than girls. The rectum, bladder, and vagina of a female baby with an imperforate anus sometimes share one large opening. This opening is called a cloaca.

The condition develops in the womb during the fifth to seventh weeks of pregnancy. The cause is unknown. Many times babies with this condition also have other defects of the rectum.