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Regina from Kenya raised $720 to fund surgery to treat her hydrocephalus.

Regina
100%
  • $720 raised, $0 to go
$720
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Regina's treatment was fully funded on January 19, 2023.

Photo of Regina post-operation

February 7, 2023

Regina underwent surgery to treat her hydrocephalus.

Regina had a successful surgery to help heal her worrying hydrocephalus condition. The surgery has helped reduce her fevers and the severe headaches that she was experiencing. The chances of the condition re-occurring or surgery failing in future are very low compared to other shunt insertion surgeries, so her medical team is hopeful for a smooth recovery.

Regina’s mother says, “Though she is not yet fully recovered, I can not hide my joy and hope she recovers fully to her normal health. Thank you.”

Regina had a successful surgery to help heal her worrying hydrocephalus condition. The surgery has helped reduce her fevers and the severe h...

Read more
August 16, 2022

Regina is a 13-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the secondborn in a family of three children. Her parents separated a few years back, and she and all of her siblings currently live with their mother in their ancestral home. Regina’s mother practices small-scale farming to provide food for their family. Her mother shares that she previously ran a small kiosk in their hometown where she sold fruits, but she has been unable to sustain the business since Regina fell sick in June. They currently rely on Regina’s grandmother to help support them.

Regina 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, Regina has been experiencing fevers and severe headaches. Although she and her family have been to different hospitals seeking treatment, they have not seen much change in her condition. Fortunately, they were referred to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, where she will undergo surgery to treat her hydrocephalus. Without treatment, Regina would experience severe physical and developmental delays.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Regina. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 17th and will drain the excess fluid from Regina’s brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Regina will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl.

Regina’s mother says, “I am not happy that my child is in this condition. I want her to get well and bring back my happiness.”

Regina is a 13-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the secondborn in a family of three children. Her parents separated a few years back, and sh...

Read more

Regina's Timeline

  • August 16, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Regina was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • August 16, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Regina's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • August 17, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Regina received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) 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.

  • January 19, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Regina's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 7, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    We received an update on Regina. Read the update.

Funded by 12 donors

Funded by 12 donors

Treatment
Hydrocephalus - Shunt
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $720 for Regina's treatment
Hospital Fees
$537
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$28
Supplies
$0
Labs
$120
Other
$35
  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.