Young woman needs kidney treatment

The field of medicine has made tremendous strides in recent decades, and Belizeans benefit everyday from those advances. But many treatments that are routine in North America and Europe are still not available in Belize. And that gap sometimes results in painful choices.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

Seventeen-year-old Kenisha Usher is critically ill at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The young woman has been diagnosed with terminal renal failure, which means that both of Usher’s kidneys are not functioning. A month ago, the family, from Teakettle village, first noticed that something was wrong when Usher started to complain about severe pains in her abdomen.

Kenisha Usher, Kidney Patient, K.H.M.H.

“I want to get better; I want to go home to see my people back home.”

But Usher is too sick to go home. The doctor has recommended urgent dialysis and an eventual renal transplant; procedures not yet available in Belize. In the meantime, Usher remains at the K.H.M.H. hooked to a machine that helps to flush the kidneys and keep her alive until she can get further medical attention. Natalie Acosta says it’s painful knowing that if her sister does not get the help she needs, she will die.

Natalie Acosta, Sister

“It’s been bad, cause we’re trying to get help from any who could help we, fi get her out of the country as quickly as possible… She can’t help herself, we have to do everything fi her. She can’t get up, can’t walk, so we have to stick to her side.”<

So far, the family has been unable to get the financial help they need. Acosta says they plan to hold a dance in Teakettle Village and a barbecue sale in Belize City to try and raise the money. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.

If you would like to assist the family you can contact them at the K.H.M.H. or call Natalie Acosta at telephone number 227-8332.