​Pictured: Beata Lankocz, one of Osler's medical laboratory technologists, who helped diagnose baby Osarose with malaria.

When her six-week old baby girl stopped feeding, wouldn't open her eyes and had all-dry diapers, Osarumen Enabulele knew something was very wrong. At 3 a.m., she rushed to the Emergency Department at William Osler Health System (Osler)'s Etobicoke General Hospital (EGH) to have her daughter Osarose assessed. Within a few short hours, she found out what was wrong with her daughter – Osarose had malaria, a disease caused by a parasite and spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

"I was surprised to hear the diagnosis, but at the same time I was very relieved," said Osarumen. "The entire team at Etobicoke General Hospital was wonderful. They took care of my baby girl right away and found out what the cause of her illness was very quickly. I am very grateful for all they've done."

Osarumen lived in Nigeria for the first 20 weeks of her pregnancy and took preventive medication while there. Unfortunately, although she was fine, the parasite was transmitted to the baby. Though Osarose's symptoms didn't clearly indicate malaria, Beata Lankocz, one of Osler's highly experienced and vigilant medical laboratory technologists at EGH, was troubled by the baby's low hemoglobin level and was determined to find the reason behind it. While she was reviewing the patient's blood film, she saw the malaria parasite, a very unexpected finding in a baby born in Canada. Beata's skill, expertise and dedication to go the extra mile for her patient was life-saving for baby Osarose.

"It's really rewarding to have been able to detect the malaria parasite and to know I was able to help the baby recover," said Beata. "This was the first time in my 30-year career that I have seen pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM). Osarose is a patient I will forever remember, and I am happy I could help with finalizing her diagnosis."

Within a few hours from when they first arrived at the Emergency Department, and following the efficient diagnosis at EGH, Osarumen and Osarose were transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children, where Osarose received treatment for malaria and was able to be discharged home a few days later.

"It's wonderful to see her happy and thriving," said Osarumen. "I am forever indebted to the medical technologist and the entire team at Etobicoke General Hospital. They saved my baby."

Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) like Beata Lankocz are some of the unsung heroes of health care who play an important part in delivering safe, quality care to patients. Using a variety of complex instruments, MLTs analyze blood, tissue and other body fluid samples to provide test results that help complete the full picture of a patient's health. This allows for informed decisions around diagnoses and treatment and often, saves lives.