DUBAI // The mother of baby Aleeyah Carungay says her daughter faces a lifetime of medication and hospital care.

Grace Carungay must now return to work in Abu Dhabi as a receptionist to pay for the lifelong care of her one-year-old daughter, who has made remarkable progress after a liver transplant.

Before the operation Aleeyah was given only a 50-50 chance of survival but she is continuing to astound doctors after being released from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan on July 25.

The operation she underwent in June was made possible after Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, heard of her plight and donated more than Dh200,000 to pay for the procedure and related costs.

“As a liver transplant patient, Aleeyah needs to have a follow-up check-up in the country to monitor her liver,” Ms Carungay said. “Then every year we need to come back to Taiwan for a check-up with the donor [Aleeyah’s aunt].

“The bottom line is I need to work for her lifetime medicines, her weekly check-up with blood tests, and her future.

“If I had the choice I would stay in the Philippines.

“I want to take care of her because she needs a mother’s care, especially at this time. But her medicine is now her life.

“If we are not able to give her medicine on time, there will be side-effects.”

Aleeyah biliary atresia diagnosed after she became jaundiced at two months. The disease causes inflammation in the bile ducts, leading to damage that reduces the flow of bile and scars the liver.

Bile carries toxins and waste out of the body and helps to digest fats and absorb vitamins.

Although Aleeyah can venture outside, the medication makes her susceptible to viruses.

Cardiologists are also watching her progress.

Doctors were making routine checks three weeks ago when they discovered her heart was beating too fast. To help restore her heartbeat to normal, they gave her a cardioversion electric shock.

“She’s OK now, and so active it’s like nothing happened,” Mrs Carungay said. “Aleeyah wanted to always stay outside the [hospital] room, she’s so bubbly. The big difference compared to before when she was sick is we still have to monitor her heart.

“Every time the doctors came into our room in the hospital, especially her liver surgeon Dr Chao-Long Chen, they were so amazed that Aleeyah was doing so well.

“She’s a miracle baby and, as a mother, I want the best for her. I will do everything for her, especially now she has a second precious chance at life.”

nwebster@thenational.ae