Biliary Atresia Committee launched an awareness campaign at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital

The Biliary Atresia (BA) Awareness Committee under the auspices of Gauteng Provincial Solid Organ Transplant Division and the University of the Witwatersrand launched their campaign at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital on October 16.

Paediatrics and child health specialist Dr Christina Hajinicolaou explained biliary atresia as a ‘destructive, inflammatory, obliterative cholangiopathy affecting varying lengths of both intra and extra-hepatic biliary system resulting in obstruction to bile flow’.

Paediatrician Dr Nipho Mangeni said it was coincidental because on this day in 1939, political activist Charlotte Maxeke died.

“We are at this hospital which is named after her who was a co-founder of the women’s league and a person who fought for infantile rights. It is a profound moment for us to be at this hospital and launch this campaign for children.”

Mother of a rare disease survivor Boitumelo Takalo noted that having a child diagnosed with biliary atresia from birth was not easy.

“My child experienced yellow eyes, an inflated stomach and itchy skin. I first went to a clinic on the East Rand where I was told to continue breastfeeding her and expose her to the sun for her yellow eyes to get better which they never did.”

Takalo added that she went back six weeks later where she was transferred to a hospital. She became nervous and panicked due to the seriousness of her daughter’s condition. This is also when she was told that her daughter’s liver was not functioning properly.

“I was later transferred to Baragwaneth Hospital where they did the Kasai operation, which is a type of surgery to remove the diseased bile ducts to the base of the liver and re-establish bile flow from the liver using a portion of the child’s intestine.”

She explained that the operation was unsuccessful and that she was transferred to Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital where the second option was explored – a liver transplant.

“My blood was sampled and revealed that I was a match. It has been three months since her surgery and she is on her way to recovery.”

Paediatrician gastroenterologist Priyah Walabh said unveiling the awareness poster is one of the most vital tools in their biliary atresia campaign.

“Our goal is not only to educate but this can act as a call for immediate medical attention for all affected children. Biliary atresia is more than a medical condition, it represents young lives at risk and families who are anxious for their well-being.”

Walabh said the abnormal symptoms include:

• Jaundice is characterised by yellow eyes
• Skin becomes darker/yellow all over
• Stools become pale or white due to the bile not going through.
• Dark urination.

Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital’s transplant manager Anja Meyer said the road map and way forward included:

Clinics

• Posters
• Site visits
• Social media (awareness videos)
• Training for HCP (Health Care Professionals)
• Referral process.

Hospitals

• Posters
• Site visits
• Social media (awareness videos)
• Training for HCP
• Referral process.

Community members

• Posters
• Education sessions
• Community newspapers and newsletters.

How to get involved

• BA campaign committees in your cluster, district, or region
• Collaborate with central hospitals regarding training.

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