The social media outcry among Cape Verdeans has probably never been this resounding and intense. The reason for this outcry is the death of four year old girl, Sharon Alina Silva Lopes.
Six months ago, in March, Sharon was checked into Hospital Baptista Sousa, the hospital on the island on São Vicente, Cape Verde. According to Sharon’s grandfather, “When Sharon became ill, six months ago, she was diagnosed by the doctors as having appendicitis, but it wasn’t. They retracted and said it was anemia. Therefore we followed all of the procedures to treat anemia, but she did not get better. Four months later, in june, her stomach pains started.”
Due to the pains Sharon was submitted to an emergency operation. After the operation the doctors stated that Sharon had to be evacuated immediately for treatment.
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HOWEVER, SHARON NEVER MADE IT TO THE EVACUATION. SHARON DIED, PAINFULLY, WHILE WAITING TWO MONTHS FOR AN EVACUATION.
Sharon’s mother, Lucilene Andrade Silva, states: “…in her last days, Sharon could no longer breathe alone because the cancer had already spread to he kidneys as well. Due to this she had difficulties urinating.”
Sharon’s grandfather has called for the resignation of Cape Verde’s Minister of Health, Arlindo do Rosário. A cry that will undoubtedly fall on death ears in the governmental hierarchy of Cape Verde.
However, that has not stopped Cape Verdeans from pouring out messages on Facebook of, not only support and condolences for Sharon’s family, but also for the resignation of all individuals they consider responsible for the barbaric death of four year old Sharon Alina Silva Lopes.
Among politicians and those deemed responsible, the death of Sharon has become a political game of hot potatoes. Unwilling to accept any responsibility they are passing the blame to whomever they can.
In addition to the director of National Health in Cape Verde, Artur Correia, defending that “it makes no sense” for Cape Verde’s Minister of Health to resign, he also said that Cape Verde is doubling its number of patient evacuations to Portugal, costing Cape Verde millions.
However, the people continue to confront this allegation on the basis that Cape Verde should not only have medical evacuation accords with Portugal. They state that many Cape Verdeans, with assistance from mostly Cape Verdean immigrants, have been evacuated to near by neighboring country of Senegal.
SENEGAL’S MEDICAL FIELD IS BY FAR MORE ADVANCED THAN CAPE VERDE’S AT A FRACTION OF THE COST TO EVACUATE TO PORTUGAL, AND WITHOUT SUCH EXTENSIVE WAIT.
The public outcry among Cape Verdeans is further intensified because the Mayor of Praia, Cape Verde, who suffered a non-life threatening gun shot to the arm about two weeks ago, in what he called “a cowardly act of vengeance,” was evacuated to Portugal two weeks after being shot in the arm.
In regards to this occurrence Sharon’s grandfather stated revolted, “What arm operation is more urgent than the evacuation of four year old girl with cancer?”
CAPE VERDEAN’S RALLYING TO HELP SHARON’S MOTHER
Cape Verdean’s have also rallied on social media in, not only emotional support for Sharon’s family, but have also made an effort to alleviate her family from financial obligations. Sharon’s mother has another child.
The support for Sharon’s mother, Lucilene Andrade Silva, has come from various people via Western Union. Any donations to assist her and her family in this painful time can be made directly to her via Western Union. Lucilene resides in the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. You can notify her on her Facebook of the Western Union number for her to receive the money.
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