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Success! Baraka from Tanzania raised $1,369 to fund spinal surgery.

Baraka
100%
  • $1,369 raised, $0 to go
$1,369
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Baraka's treatment was fully funded on August 31, 2017.

Photo of Baraka post-operation

September 1, 2017

Baraka underwent spinal surgery.

Baraka is doing so well now that the spina bifida is closed. He is no longer at risk for spinal infections, and he no longer suffers from regular fevers or vomiting. Baraka is now eating well and putting on weight as a healthy child. He is ready to head home and will return for hydrocephalus screening and any follow-up treatments that may be deemed necessary.

“I am so grateful for this help that my child has received, I pray that God rewards all that have contributed to the treatment of my child, thank you all,” shares Baraka’s mother.

Baraka is doing so well now that the spina bifida is closed. He is no longer at risk for spinal infections, and he no longer suffers from re...

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April 21, 2017

Baraka is a three-week-old boy from Tanzania who loves to suckle. He is one of six children. Baraka’s parents are subsistence farmers who work hard to try and provide for their large family.

Baraka was born with spina bifida, an opening in his lower back extending through his spine. If not treated, it can cause spinal cord damage and lead to recurrent infections. After his diagnosis at birth, Baraka was unable to receive treatment at a local hospital because they were unequipped to provide the necessary treatment. When he began experiencing fevers due to infections, relatives chipped in to help cover the costs of his travel to a care center ten hours away.

On April 24, surgeons will perform a spina bifida repair procedure to close the opening in Baraka’s back. After treatment, little Baraka will be healthier and will no longer experience dangerous recurrent infections. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,369 to cover Baraka’s treatment.

Baraka’s mother is very grateful to those supporting Baraka’s care, saying, “Thank you so much for the help you will give to my son. May God bless you all.”

Baraka is a three-week-old boy from Tanzania who loves to suckle. He is one of six children. Baraka's parents are subsistence farmers who wo...

Read more

Baraka's Timeline

  • April 21, 2017
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Baraka was submitted by Robert Kariuki, Process Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • April 24, 2017
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Baraka received treatment at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) in Tanzania. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • May 12, 2017
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Baraka's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • August 31, 2017
    FULLY FUNDED

    Baraka's treatment was fully funded.

  • September 1, 2017
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Baraka's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment
Myelomeningocoele w/ hydrocephalus
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $1,369 for Baraka's treatment
Hospital Fees
$1,095
Medical Staff
$15
Medication
$67
Supplies
$35
Labs
$157
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Symptoms of hydrocephalus include an enlarged head size, irritability, abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and increased intracranial pressure. Cognitive development can be affected, and damage to the optic nerve can cause blindness.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

In young children, hydrocephalus affects brain development, cognition, and vision. In older children and adults, hydrocephalus also causes headaches.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The burden of infant hydrocephalus in East Africa is significant, with more than 6,000 new cases estimated per year. The majority are caused by neonatal infection and vitamin deficiency, and should thus be preventable. In East Africa, the single most common cause of hydrocephalus is infection, usually via neonatal meningitis or ventriculitis. Neonatal sepsis is common and is exacerbated by the lack of skilled perinatal care for the majority of births in Africa.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Hydrocephalus patients are usually treated within a few days of arriving at the hospital. Fortunately, our medical partner can accept many patients who would otherwise go home if they could not afford the surgery cost. Treatment involves inserting a shunt into the brain to route cerebrospinal fluid to another part of the body. One month after surgery, the patient returns for a follow-up appointment.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This surgery is lifesaving. The patient will no longer be at risk of cognitive and vision damage. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus can restore and maintain normal cerebrospinal fluid levels in the brain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is treatable, though the outcome depends on how quickly the disease is identified and treated.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition. With about one neurosurgeon per 10,000,000 people in East Africa, initial treatment for hydrocephalus is often unavailable.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Surgery is the only option.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Prossy

Prossy is a hospital cleaner and a mother of three children, all of whom are currently studying. After completing high school, she joined a nursing school to pursue a certificate in midwifery. Unfortunately, her father, who was paying her school fees, passed away while she was in her second year. Due to financial constraints, she had to drop out of nursing school. However, her passion for caring for the sick never faded, and she decided to become a cleaner, a job she has held for over 25 years at a local health center. Prossy's husband is a farmer, and they live in a two-roomed house. Their income is not sufficient to cover the cost of her surgery, and she is, therefore, appealing for support. For the last five years, Prossy began to experience troubling symptoms, including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, palpitation, and pain while swallowing. Concerned about her health, Prossy sought medical attention and went to a local health center. She needed specialized care and was referred to Nyakibale hospital where surgery was recommended. She was diagnosed with a bilateral goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Prossy receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Prossy says: “I hope to get healed and have normal health like any other person once I am given your support to undergo surgery.”

7% funded

7%funded
$20raised
$232to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Prossy

Prossy is a hospital cleaner and a mother of three children, all of whom are currently studying. After completing high school, she joined a nursing school to pursue a certificate in midwifery. Unfortunately, her father, who was paying her school fees, passed away while she was in her second year. Due to financial constraints, she had to drop out of nursing school. However, her passion for caring for the sick never faded, and she decided to become a cleaner, a job she has held for over 25 years at a local health center. Prossy's husband is a farmer, and they live in a two-roomed house. Their income is not sufficient to cover the cost of her surgery, and she is, therefore, appealing for support. For the last five years, Prossy began to experience troubling symptoms, including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, palpitation, and pain while swallowing. Concerned about her health, Prossy sought medical attention and went to a local health center. She needed specialized care and was referred to Nyakibale hospital where surgery was recommended. She was diagnosed with a bilateral goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Prossy receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Prossy says: “I hope to get healed and have normal health like any other person once I am given your support to undergo surgery.”

7% funded

7%funded
$20raised
$232to go