Heart specialist: Transplant chances for Gabriella slim

Consultant paediatric cardiologist Dr Diane Alexander says little can be done for three-year-old Gabriella Lakhan.

Although she does not have all the details of the child's condition, Alexander said the prognosis given by previous doctors seemed to be right, and any surgery at this time could be fatal.

She said even if Gabriella was able to get a heart and lung transplant, there was no guarantee that her body would not reject the organs, and she would have to be monitored throughout her life.

She also said that since heart and lung transplants were not done in TT, Gabriella would have to go abroad and be put on a waiting list, could be waiting for years.

However, Alexander said there are medications that can help Gabriella for some time, which her parents are holding on to.

They have been receiving help from the public. Gabriella's mother Giselle Lakhan said several of the would-be donors who contacted the family have honoured their pledges to help buy her medication, which had been a strain on the family after their $1,100 social welfare grant was stopped because they were deemed ineligible.