This is one in a sequence of stories related to a WHO consultation with Member States to highlight and understand the complex needs of people living with noncommunicable diseases in emergency situations when they are forced to leave their homes and the care they depend on.
Jasmin Bade’s family is looking forward to celebrating her first birthday, aware that her first 11 months of life have been marked by numerous challenges.
Baby Jasmin was born in the Transcarpathia Region of Ukraine, next to the Hungarian border. Shortly after her birth in October 2022, her mother, Fanni, noticed that she had some unusual health symptoms. After several blood tests and examinations, Jasmin was diagnosed with valve stenosis and valve underdevelopment.
The only hospital that could treat such a serious heart condition was located in Kyiv, more than 800 kilometres from the family’s home village. Due to the war, bombing or attacks on the road were real possibilities, and given that Jasmin’s health was already so fragile, the family decided not to travel to the capital.
Fanni and the family decided that it would be safer to travel to Hungary, although they were worried that they would not be able to return to their home in Transcarpathia. The journey to Budapest was extremely traumatic. Fanni had not yet recovered from giving birth by Caesarean section, and her wound re-opened during the journey. Baby Jasmin caught a bacterial infection which caused diarrhoea and led to her losing a kilogram of her birth weight, meaning that she weighed just 2400 grams.
Baby Jasmin was severely dehydrated when they arrived at Bethesda Children’s Hospital in Budapest. Fanni was terrified of losing her baby. “The doctors here brought my child back from the brink of death. I don't know what would have happened if we hadn't come here.”
Mother and baby were admitted for 2 months. In addition to receiving the health-care and medication they urgently needed, they were struck by the kindness of the Hospital’s staff.
Several months later, Jasmin is still being treated by paediatric cardiologist Dr Beáta Gyömörei. Under Dr Gyömörei’s supervision, her condition has stabilized and noticeably improved. She has regular checkups and does not need to have surgery for her heart and lung condition.
Jasmin’s next checkup is scheduled to coincide with her respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination. “In Hungary, all heart patients, regardless of their origin, receive this vaccine free of charge from the state, just like all other necessary treatments,” explains Dr Gyömörei.
Fanni remains grateful for the high-quality care that Jasmin receives at the Hospital: “We receive comprehensive care here; we bring Jasmin in for checkups every 3 months, and the doctors examine her thoroughly. I always feel that we are in the best hands.”