Baby Shamir is being called Belize’s Million Dollar Baby, as it is a million dollar surgery that he needs in order to live. It was with quick work from various entities in Belize and health partners abroad that baby Shamir was flown to the U.S.A. in order for him to receive treatment and eventually undergo the expensive but much needed surgery.
On Sunday, December 20, 2015, baby Shamir was born to young parents from Corozal Town with esophageal atresia or an incomplete esophagus, meaning that he can’t swallow, can’t eat, can’t ingest nutrients – basically, he can’t survive on his own. Baby Shamir received a gastrostomy at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and was immediately referred to the World Pediatric Project.
In short, the World Pediatric Projects ‘makes things happen’ in order to heal critically ill children in developing countries. On Boxing Day, December 26, the Richmond office of the World Pediatric Project arranged for a complete medical/surgical team from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond to travel to Belize on a private jet to come for baby Shamir.
“I would never have believed that this would be our Christmas miracle,” commented Milagro Garel, Belize representative for the World Pediatric Project. “This could never have happened without the support and collaboration of Immigration dept – officers complete with CEO on the ground, the U.S. Embassy and KHMH who all came together to ensure that Shamir’s life could be saved! World pediatric project has been working in Belize for the past 10 years and this is the 8th case of this exact condition that we have had in our hands! It is important for our story to be shared because those in need NEED to know that we are here in Belize and that our assign is saving our children!”
There was never a guarantee that a specialized medical center would take up baby Shamir, especially since it is on a charity basis and, in this case, during the busy Holiday season. But that is now a thing of the past with baby Shamir now in Virginia where he is getting special nutrition to gain weight in order for him to undergo the major surgery needed to save his life.
In Belize, we keep Baby Shamir in our prayers and hope for a successful surgery and recovery.
Baby Shamir being transported from KHMH to private jet at Belize’s international airport
Baby Shamir on board private jet enroute to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond
About World Pediatric Project:
World Pediatric Project is a global network linking worldwide pediatric surgical, diagnostic and preventative resources to heal critically ill children in developing countries. Through donated surgical and medical services, volunteer service, and donors’ generous support, the project provides the practical means for children to receive state-of-the-art surgical services. By establishing an international network of child health partners they will provide the medical skills, financial resources, and organizational coordination to care for the surgical needs of children who have no other hope.
Surgical services are provided for children from birth to 21 years old
Contact in Belize: 223-7300 or 610-2606
www.worldpediatricproject.org
