PARENTS of a 20-day-old infant are in a race against time to save his life, after being told he needs an operation that is not normally performed in Bahrain.
Saifuddin Ahmed Helal was born on May 12 to Egyptian parents Ahmed Helal and Aya Elsaid, but suffers a rare condition known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome - in which part of the heart that pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body is underdeveloped.
His only hope is either a heart transplant or a three-step operation, the first part of which must be completed shortly after birth.
However, the surgery is normally performed overseas and Saifuddin does not yet have a passport, which means he cannot travel abroad.
Saifuddin’s parents are now pulling out all the stops to obtain his passport as soon as possible so they can apply for a visa to India, where they plan to travel for the operation.
Mr Helal, an accountant, said he still didn’t know if they would be able to make it there on time for the first surgical procedure, which they have been told must be carried out by June 12 – when Saifuddin is one month old.
“It is an urgent matter and my son’s life depends on it – I only have a week,” Mr Helal told the GDN.
“Normally issuing an Egyptian passport from Bahrain takes 45 days, but of course this is not an option in my son’s case.
“Another option is for me, or a relative, to complete procedures in Egypt – but that takes 15 days and it requires a birth certificate issued by Egypt, which also takes three to seven days to issue.
“I have prepared all the documents and sent them to my relatives in Egypt, who will do their best to meet officials and speed up the process.
“However, I am very worried that it will be very slow.
“The Indian Embassy suggested including the baby on my passport or his mother’s passport to speed up the process, but the Egyptian Embassy said that cannot be done.
“I am so scared I won’t get things completed in time.”
Mr Helal said he had chosen a hospital in India for the procedure because it had been recommended by staff at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), where Saifuddin is currently admitted in the paediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
He could have taken his son to Egypt for the operation at a public hospital, but he said he decided against it because of concerns about the standard of treatment.
“Egypt was the first place I thought of for my son’s treatment, but I could not find a high-quality hospital that performs the surgery,” he said.
“I can’t take the risk and take my son to a public hospital there. I don’t know what could happen.”
Egyptian Embassy consul Shereen Al Saeed told the GDN it would have been much easier if the family sought treatment in Egypt, since a special travel document could have been issued for Saifuddin.
She added the embassy had taken necessary steps to fast-track the passport request, but could not guarantee procedures in Egypt would be completed before the planned surgery date.
“We have explained the entire process to the father and we will surely do what we can because it is our job,” she said.
“It could have been easily arranged if the surgery was to be performed in Egypt, but in this case the family needs a passport so it can take the baby to India.”
An appeal for funds to pay for Saifuddin’s treatment at Dr K M Cherian’s Frontier Lifeline Hospital, in Chennai, has so far raised $10,000.
If the first procedure is completed successfully he would require a second operation when he is around six months old, followed by a third around 18 to 36 months later.
Each procedure is expected to cost around $10,000 and Saifuddin’s mother said the family was relying on the support of well-wishers.
“My husband earns BD450 a month and it is not enough to cover the treatment costs,” she said.
“Then there is also the cost of plane tickets and accommodation fees.”
Mr Helal has lived in Bahrain for almost 11 years, while his wife joined him two years ago after they got married, and they also have a one-year-old daughter.
People interested in supporting the family can contact them on 35138040 or 35543700.
shahlaa@gdn.com.bh
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