Diagnosed with invasive cancer within a few days, a little boy named Aslam, 4 years old, was urgently transferred from Madagascar to Reunion Island to receive appropriate treatment. This medical repatriation was made possible thanks to a collective mobilization involving the family, his father’s colleagues, and the local and diplomatic authorities. (Photo: Saint-Pierre)
Aslam, a 4-year-old child living in Madagascar, has been battling a rare and serious illness for a week: a particularly invasive cancer. After a fall at school, his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to progressive paralysis of his limbs.
The first examinations in Tananarive confirmed an alarming diagnosis, requiring urgent medical repatriation to Reunion Island.
– A vital emergency –
Aslam’s condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring specialized care that was unavailable on site. Alerted, the child’s family requested help, in particular from the City of Saint-Pierre, where his father, Housman, works as a municipal agent.
The urgency of the situation led to immediate mobilization, involving the town hall, the French Consulate in Madagascar and the hospital services of Reunion Island.
Yesterday evening, the child was finally transferred to the CHU Sud de Saint-Pierre, where he is taken care of jointly with the CHU Nord, specializing in pediatric oncology. His mother was able to accompany him thanks to a temporary pass issued by the French Embassy, which also financed the trip.
– Remarkable solidarity –
Aslam’s situation sparked strong solidarity among his father’s colleagues and the authorities involved. Two funds have been opened to help the family cope with the high medical costs incurred in Madagascar.
The agents of the City of Saint-Pierre, with the support of management, have taken many steps to organize the transfer as quickly as possible. The mayor of Saint-Pierre, Michel Fontaine, wanted to thank the many actors who contributed to this complex operation, in particular the head of the pediatric oncology department at Bellepierre University Hospital, the French Consulate and the Reunion medical teams.
– A long road to recovery –
Aslam’s journey has only just begun. His medical care promises to be difficult, but the first crucial steps have been taken thanks to this collective momentum. The City’s HR department also confirmed its continued support for the family, in particular to alleviate the financial burdens linked to this situation.
– A precedent in 2024 –
This mobilization recalls another recent case of solidarity in Saint-Pierre: in October 2024, the municipality helped organize the emergency departure to mainland France of a little girl suffering from serious heart disease.
This child has since undergone successful surgery, demonstrating once again the importance of mutual aid in critical situations. Aslam, today in the hands of the medical teams of Reunion Island, embodies the hope that these joint actions, marked by solidarity and urgency, will offer him a chance of recovery.
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Saint-Pierre, Aslam, Solidarity
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