Loserian from Tanzania raised $802 to fund surgery to treat her hydrocephalus.

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$802 raised, $0 to go

$802

raised

to go

Loserian's story
Loserian's update

June 28, 2020

Loserian is a baby from Tanzania. She is three months old and the last born child in a family of three children. Her parents depend entirely on small scale farming for food. They sell any surplus food for additional income.

Loserian has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Loserian has been experiencing an increasing head circumference, fevers, and vomiting. Without treatment, Loserian will experience severe physical and developmental delays.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $802 to cover the cost of surgery for Loserian that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 29 and will drain the excess fluid from Loserian’s brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Loserian will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl.

Loserian’s mother shared, “Our baby’s health worsens with each day that goes by, she is in pain and cannot feed comfortably because of her head condition. Please help us. We cannot afford the cost because it’s too high for us, please help our baby.”

Loserian is a baby from Tanzania. She is three months old and the last born child in a family of three children. Her parents depend entirely...

Photo of Loserian post-operation

August 27, 2020

Loserian underwent surgery to treat her hydrocephalus.

Loserian underwent surgery to help save her from the increased pressure that was building in her head and putting her in danger of brain damage. Due to the condition, Loserian’s health had deteriorated due to poor feeding, vomiting, and frequent seizures. The surgery went well and she was enrolled in a feeding program to help her gain weight and restore her health. Unfortunately, on August 11th, she was rushed back to the hospital since the seizures and vomiting had increased and she was also showing features of increased head diameter again. She was able to undergo another surgery and is currently stable, but still under close observation.

Loserian’s mother says, “After the first surgery she got better and then worse again. But she has now had another surgery and she is much better compared to before the treatment. Thank you very much for fighting to save my daughter and helping fund her treatment cost. I don’t know what would have happened to my daughter if it was not for all your help and support.”

Loserian underwent surgery to help save her from the increased pressure that was building in her head and putting her in danger of brain dam...

June 28, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Loserian was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
June 29, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Loserian 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.
June 29, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Loserian's profile was published to start raising funds.
July 4, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Loserian's treatment was fully funded.
August 27, 2020
TREATMENT UPDATE
We received an update on Loserian. Read the update.

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment

Hydrocephalus alone

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $802 for Loserian's treatment

Hospital Fees

$585

Medical Staff

$20

Medication

$51

Supplies

$35

Labs

$111

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.

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Loserian's Timeline

Funded by 10 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.