The heartbreaking cost of survival: Serah’s unfulfilled battle

Serah was a devoted housekeeper in the Agbado community, known for her tireless work ethic and gentle demeanour. 

As a single mother, she worked long hours to provide for her only child, a bright and spirited 8-year-old girl named Lila. 

Serah’s life revolved around her daughter, and despite her modest earnings, she managed to make a home filled with love and laughter.

One rainy season, Lila fell ill with a high fever. Serah, concerned for her daughter’s health, immediately sought medical help. 

The diagnosis was malaria, a condition that is treatable with medication if caught early. The local clinic recommended a specific course of antimalarial drugs, but the cost was beyond Serah’s reach. She scrimped and saved for weeks, hoping to afford the medication, but the funds never materialised. 

The clinic’s free supply was exhausted, and other local pharmacies were either out of stock or too expensive.

Serah’s desperation grew as Lila’s condition worsened. She tried herbal remedies and home treatments, but nothing seemed to help. 

The fever persisted, and Lila became increasingly weak and lethargic. Serah’s anguish was palpable; she worked extra shifts and borrowed money from friends and neighbours, but still could not secure the needed medication.

The days dragged on, each one more agonising than the last. Serah’s once-vibrant daughter began to fade away, her small frame barely able to withstand the illness. 

On one particularly bleak night, Lila’s breathing became shallow, and her fever soared to dangerous levels. Serah, frantic and exhausted, continued to search for help, but by then it was too late.

Lila passed away in her mother’s arms, the bright spark that had once filled their home now extinguished. 

The loss was devastating; Serah was consumed by grief and guilt. She blamed herself for not being able to provide the necessary treatment, despite her relentless efforts. 

Her daughter’s death left an indelible mark on her heart, and the weight of her loss was a burden she could never fully bear.

Her dedication and love for her daughter were undeniable, but in the face of systemic inadequacies, she was unable to save the one person she cherished most.