Non-Governmental Organisation Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) is currently seeking the public’s assistance to raise funds for a four-year-old Berbice River girl, who is now critical after suffering burns to almost three-quarters of her body.
Neleissa La Rose is currently warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) with third degree burns to 70% of her body.
A person with knowledge of the incident in which La Rose was burnt told Sunday Stabroek that it occurred on January 22nd, at Maria Henrietta, Berbice River.
La Rose, this newspaper was told, was in the company of a cousin who allegedly started a fire to roast corn. However, a bottle containing gasoline, which was used to start the fire, reportedly exploded and ignited La Rose’s clothing.
SHEA, in a recent Facebook post, said that La Rose is in urgent need of immediate advanced medical treatment, which is not available in Guyana.
SHEA’s local representative, Sita Sugrim, yesterday explained to Sunday Stabroek that the initial plan was to have La Rose transferred via a commercial flight.
However, Sugrim said following a consultation on Friday evening, both local and foreign doctors have advised against it.
As a result, she said La Rose will now have to be transported via an air ambulance. The cost is US$50,000, which is equivalent to more than $10 million in Guyanese currency. “So we are hoping for a miracle to raise this money to get her out as soon as possible because…time is of the essence in these cases,” Sugrim said.
The cost does not include additional expenses, such as meals and accommodation, during La Rose’s stay overseas.
The main focus, Sugrim noted, is to raise the funds as soon as possible so that La Rose can be medevaced. “…I hope companies will come on board… and we can get her out as soon as possible,” she said.
Anyone willing to assist LaRose can visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/savingneleissa.
Donations can also be made to Demerara Bank account #006002041325.
