By ODETTE LONEY Saturday, August 15 2009

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POOR FAITH: Maureen Alexis with her daughter Faith Alexis at the Children's Hospital in Mt Hope yesterday....

BABY Faith Davis will remain warded at the Paediatric Ward of the Wendy Fitzwilliam Children’s Hospital in Mt Hope, after doctors said they were not pleased with how her right hand and wrist were healing following a second skin graft.

The baby had to undergo surgical procedures after leaking intravenous fluid caused major burns to her hand and wrist while she was warded at San Fernando General Hospital, six days after being born.

The one-month-old entered the operating theatre at 4 pm yesterday and came out shortly after 5.10 pm with doctors saying the skin graft to her right wrist was not healing well due to a possible bacterial infection.

EWMSC plastic surgeon, Roopnarine Lalla, told Newsday that doctors cleaned the wound and changed the bandage. Antibiotics will be administered intravenously to treat the bacterial infection on Faith’s tiny right wrist but this time the intravenous line will be placed on her left foot.

Lalla said he is pleased with the healing of the first graft to Faith’s right hand which was done two weeks ago and although he is not ruling out another procedure to the second graft, he assured Newsday that if another procedure needs to be done, it will be a minor one. He believes that once the wounds heal properly, Faith will be able to fully use her right hand. She will remain at the Children’s Hospital until doctors are satisfied with her healing process.

Her parents Earl and Maureen Davis of Brothers Road in New Grant, had to be convinced by EWMSC Medical Chief of Staff Neil Peters, that doctors did not want to hurt Faith but wanted to check on her progress. After several hours, Maureen eventually signed the permission form which allowed doctors to examine Faith.

Yesterday, a tired Maureen told Newsday she is still awaiting word from the Ministry of Health after promises were made to provide aid to Faith and the family. The couple say their other five children are now staying at relatives’ homes in Princes Town and Couva since Maureen has to stay with Faith and Earl, who is a farmer, cannot stay at home with the children.

Meanwhile, responding to a question on Faith’s parents hoping to take her abroad for further medical treatment, Health Minister Jerry Narace yesterday said he was guided by the advice from the local doctors.

Asked if the Ministry would assist with the financial cost he said, “the medical professionals at Mt Hope have advised we are able to take care of the situation and I continue to be advised by the medical profession”. Narace said as a parent he too would be “pained” about his child’s condition.