Subira is a forty-one-year-old mother of six children. Subira and the husband are small scale farmers who grow mainly food crops which they use for their food and sell the surplus to buy other basic commodities for their family.
Subira was born with a small swelling on her back but her parents were never able to seek treatment of any kind for her since it didn’t look like it was something serious. Over the years, the swelling has been increasing in size gradually and it’s now causing her pain and discomfort. In addition to these new challenges, the swelling is also discharging fluids, causing her to panic. Her condition is affecting her ability to walk and care for her family.
Subira has spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Subira is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of other complications.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,015 to cover the cost of Subira’s spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 10th. This procedure will hopefully spare Subira from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to flourish along a healthier trajectory.
Subira says, “I am really scared about the condition, I have children to look after but in my current state I am not fit enough to care for them, please help me get this surgery.”