Baby akash

Aakash’s Story

Hello everyone,

A little background for those who haven’t heard Aakash’s story before…

(The latest update is included at the end.)

Aakash was born on October 18, 2023, in Ampara. At birth, he experienced respiratory distress and was placed on oxygen. He also showed signs of trisomy. He was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Ampara, where a chest X-ray was done. The X-ray showed that he had an infection in his lungs.

Several steps were taken to treat this, and Aakash was kept zero per os (not allowed to take food orally). A barium swallow test confirmed esophageal atresia and both proximal and distal tracheoesophageal fistulas.

In simple terms, his esophagus (the food pipe) ended in two separate segments that did not connect, and both the upper and lower parts were abnormally connected to the trachea (windpipe) through fistulas.

Further tests also revealed that he had two holes in his heart.

He was immediately transferred from Ampara to Colombo National Hospital for specialized treatment.

Since then, he has been in the hospital. On November 6, 2023, his first surgery was performed. However, the major repair surgery for the esophagus and fistulas could not be done at that time.

Instead, a feeding tube (gastrostomy) was placed into his stomach, through which he received his mother’s breast milk.

On December 4, 2023, Aakash underwent his second surgery, where the tied-off part of the esophagus was removed and the hole in his lung was closed, so that saliva and mucus would no longer enter his lungs.

He recovered quickly and was discharged on December 13, 2023.

In January 2024, Aakash had a follow-up appointment, and the doctor was very pleased with his progress. He was growing nicely and already weighed 3.6 kg at that stage.

He continued having regular checkups with his doctors every two months and also started seeing a dietitian to help him gain enough weight for the major surgery.

Originally, his major surgery was scheduled for September 17, 2025, but it has now been postponed to October 15, 2025, as the surgeon who was supposed to operate is recovering from surgery herself.

After Aakash’s surgery, he will need to stay in the ICU for about 7 days, and then another 7 days in the general ward.

His mother, Nadika, will have to stay at a Colombo guest house for the first few days while Aakash is in the ICU, after which she will be able to stay with him in the hospital.

We have been informed that a deposit amount of 4'073 CHf must be paid before the surgery, by October 16, 2025, for the procedure to take place.

With that said, we would like to kindly ask anyone who is willing to make a financial contribution toward the medical costs, or even help cover the guest house expenses, that it would be deeply appreciated! 🙏

Please also pray with us for the medical team, for wisdom and guidance, and for Dulith and Nadika — that every need will be met in time.

Thank you for walking this long road with us — we are not alone because of your love and kindness. ❤️