Neleissa LaRose, the four-year-old who was severely burnt about her body during an incident at her Berbice River home more than six months ago return-ed this week from the United States (US), where she was being treated.
Local representative of the Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Sita Sugrim yesterday told Stabroek News that LaRose returned to Guyana on Tuesday.
She explained that LaRose was discharged from the hospital in early July but was unable to immediately return due to the travel restrictions in place in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, Sugrim said that LaRose stayed at the hospital. During the period, she underwent therapy, which would have been done at follow-up appointments.
A person with knowledge of the incident in which La Rose was burnt had told Stabroek News that it occurred on January 22nd, at Maria Henrietta, Berbice River.
La Rose, this newspaper was told, was in the company of a cousin who allegedly started a fire to roast corn. However, a bottle containing gasoline, which was used to start the fire, reportedly exploded and ignited La Rose’s clothing.
La Rose sustained third degree burns to 70% of her body. She required urgent medical treatment which was not available in Guyana.
LaRose departed Guyana onboard an Air One ambulance on February 3rd. Prior to her departure, she was admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
During her treatment, LaRose underwent several surgeries in the US, all of which were successful.
In February, doctors were forced to amputate her left leg which was badly damaged, resulting in sepsis.
“After trying every option possible to save Neleissa’s leg, her doctors had no choice but to amputate, since it was badly damaged and causing sepsis. The amputation was done on her left leg, below her knee,” SHEA had said.
According to Sugrim, should LaRose require any medical care hereafter, she will be directed to the doctors at GPH, who can now handle her case.
