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Success! Safia from Kenya raised $1,185 to fund surgery on an infection so she can walk with ease and continue her education.

Safia
100%
  • $1,185 raised, $0 to go
$1,185
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Safia's treatment was fully funded on November 29, 2022.

Photo of Safia post-operation

December 14, 2022

Safia underwent surgery for her infection so she can walk with ease and continue her education.

Safia had to undergo two sequestrectomy surgeries – a debridement and a skin graft from the plastic surgery team. Her case was successful and she is responding well to treatment. Safia is currently undergoing wound care and monitoring from the plastic surgery team. Once she fully recovers, it is expected that she will be able to use her leg again, walk, and eventually resume her studies. She can’t wait to get back to school.

Safia’s aunty says, “We thank God, finally Safia has been able to get treatment. I hope she is able to use her legs and go back to school.”

Safia had to undergo two sequestrectomy surgeries -- a debridement and a skin graft from the plastic surgery team. Her case was successful a...

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September 13, 2022

Safia is a bright student - she is an orphan who is still mourning the loss of her mother who passed on in February 2022. Her father died a few years ago, and she lives with her relatives in Moyale. She has not been able to attend her classes since she started feeling unwell. She is the last born in a family of five children. She does not have medical coverage and is unable to raise the required amount for the surgery.

She first experienced a small itch on her leg at the beginning of April 2022. She later experienced swelling in that area, and she did not have any feeling on the infected leg. Over time, the situation worsened and developed pus. She now has a chronic wound on her left leg that requires debridement and skin grafting.

Safia was referred to our medical partner’s care center Kijabe Hospital by friends after her condition did not improve. She visited the facility and underwent a sequestrectomy on the 8th of September and now needs a debridement and skin graft procedure.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Safia receive treatment. On September 14th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure so she can walk without straining and be able to attend school and continue with her studies. Now, Safia needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure.

Safia’s aunt says, “She has been away from school for almost five months now. Her condition keeps getting worse that she is unable to walk. We even have to carry her to the bathroom. She needs this surgery, or she will lose her leg.“

Safia is a bright student - she is an orphan who is still mourning the loss of her mother who passed on in February 2022. Her father died a ...

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Safia's Timeline

  • September 13, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Safia was submitted by SAFE Program Admin, SAFE Program Admin at African Mission Healthcare.

  • September 17, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Safia's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • September 21, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Safia received treatment at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. 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.

  • November 29, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Safia's treatment was fully funded.

  • December 14, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Safia's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 28 donors

Funded by 28 donors

Treatment
Debridement & Skin Graft
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $1,185 for Safia's treatment
Hospital Fees
$1,020
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$85
Supplies
$0
Labs
$23
Other
$57
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Symptoms include burns, open wound, pain and Inability/difficulty in walking, infection, scarring and disfigurement. Debridement and skin grafting are surgical processes used to treat serious wounds and burns.

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

The condition involves an open wound, pain and inability or difficulty in walking. The wound affects the ability to work or perform normal daily tasks.

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

Damaged skin and wounds are common in Kenya due to poor living conditions. Families use open flames for cooking and warmth, leading to burns. Traumatic wounds from farming accidents, road accidents, and violence are also common. Poorly controlled diabetes, an emerging problem, also causes infection and skin breakdown.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Debridement is the removal of dead/damaged tissue skin, and skin grafting is the process of covering damaged areas with healthy skin. Skin grafting involves the transplantation of skin from one body site to another. The transplanted tissue is called a skin graft.

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

Treatment heals the wound and restores normal functioning.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The risks of treatment are limited. The skin graft may fail or may become infected.

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

There are few quality centers in developing countries. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Amputation, if treatment is delayed. Usually, by the time the patient has come to one of the AMHF partner hospitals, other approaches such as antibiotics and dressing changes have already been tried.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.