Watsi

Success! Paulo from Tanzania raised $890 to fund clubfoot treatment.

100%

$890 raised, $0 to go

$890

raised

to go

Fully funded

Paulo's treatment was fully funded on February 7, 2020.

Paulo's story
Paulo's update

Photo of Paulo post-operation

March 3, 2020

Paulo underwent clubfoot treatment.

Paulo’s manipulation and casting for his left foot that has a clubfoot and is going well and his foot is showing great progress. He is currently on his fourth cast change. Through this treatment, Paulo will have normally positioned feet and be able to learn how to stand and walk with ease just like other children. This would have been very challenging for him if he didn’t get this treatment.

Paulo’s mother shared, “I am grateful for your help in funding my baby’s treatment cost, something we couldn’t afford. Thank you very much.”

Paulo’s manipulation and casting for his left foot that has a clubfoot and is going well and his foot is showing great progress. He is curre...

January 30, 2020

Paulo is a baby from Tanzania and the youngest in a family of three children. Both his parents depend only on livestock keeping for their living. Their income is very small to be able to support them well, thus they struggle a lot.

Paulo has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes.

Fortunately, Paulo traveled to visit our medical partner’s care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 31st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Paulo’s clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk well when he grows up and wears shoes.

Paulo’s mother says, “Our income is too small to be able to afford our baby’s treatment cost, please helps us.”

Paulo is a baby from Tanzania and the youngest in a family of three children. Both his parents depend only on livestock keeping for their li...

Submitted by

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Paulo's case was submitted by Joan Kadagaya at African Mission Healthcare in Tanzania.

Paulo's Timeline

January 30, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Paulo was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare, our medical partner in Tanzania.
January 31, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Paulo received treatment at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). 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.
February 02, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Paulo's profile was published to start raising funds.
February 07, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Paulo's treatment was fully funded.
March 03, 2020
TREATMENT UPDATE
Paulo's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Paulo's story

Funded by 12 donors

Treatment

Clubfoot

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $890 for Paulo's treatment

Hospital Fees

$693

Medical Staff

Medication

Supplies

$175

Labs

$14

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

The foot is turned inward, often severely, at the ankle, and the arch of the foot is very high. Patients experience discomfort, and the affected leg may be shorter and smaller than the other.

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

These children have a difficult time walking and running. Years of trying to walk on a clubfoot will cause wounds and other skeletal problems, such as arthritis. Patients will have difficulty fitting in shoes and participating in normal play, school, and daily activities. Many Africans make their livings through manual labor, which can be difficult with an untreated clubfoot.

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

Incidence is 1/1,000 live births, or about 1,600 cases in Tanzania annually. This is roughly similar to rates in Western countries, though many cases may be missed. There is no known reason for its occurrence in this region.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients will undergo a series of small operations, casting, and manipulations during their course of treatment. Patients will stay in the Plaster House, a rehabilitation center for children in Tanzania, for as long as their recovery takes.

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

The bones and joint will become aligned, and long-term disability will be prevented.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Clubfoot is very treatable. The surgery is minor and not risky.

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

Care is not easily accessible. Most patients live in remote, rural areas and are identified through mobile outreach. The pediatric surgical program at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre was started to meet the large burden of pediatric disability in the region.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If not treated, the condition will persist and will result in disability.

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