Watsi

Success! Dorcus from Tanzania raised $890 to fund clubfoot repair.

100%

$890 raised, $0 to go

$890

raised

to go

Fully funded

Dorcus's treatment was fully funded on August 8, 2018.

Dorcus's story
Dorcus's update

Photo of Dorcus post-operation

July 11, 2018

Dorcus underwent clubfoot repair.

Dorcus is doing well. She currently has casts on her left leg, and she will continue with casting and manipulation for a few more weeks. She will be able to walk, play, and go to school when she grows up without being in pain or discomfort.

Dorcus’s mother says, “I am grateful and happy. I cannot wait to see my daughter grow into a happy and confident child. Thank you so much.”

Dorcus is doing well. She currently has casts on her left leg, and she will continue with casting and manipulation for a few more weeks. She...

June 7, 2018

Dorcus is a baby from Tanzania. She is the third child to her single mother.

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

Fortunately, Dorcus traveled to visit our medical partner’s care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 8. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Dorcus’s clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily as she grows.

Dorcus’s mother says, “I will be so happy to see my daughter walk without being in pain or discomfort. Thank you so much for helping me treat her.”

Dorcus is a baby from Tanzania. She is the third child to her single mother. Dorcus has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condit...

Submitted by

Learn more

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

Dorcus's Timeline

June 7, 2018
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Dorcus was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare Foundation, our medical partner in Tanzania.
June 08, 2018
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Dorcus 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.
June 27, 2018
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Dorcus's profile was published to start raising funds.
July 11, 2018
TREATMENT UPDATE
Dorcus's treatment was successful. Read the update.
August 08, 2018
FULLY FUNDED
Dorcus's treatment was fully funded.

Share Dorcus's story

Funded by 19 donors

Treatment

Clubfoot

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $890 for Dorcus'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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Atuhaire is a student from Uganda. He is the sixth of eight children. For six months, Atuhaire has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. The hydrocele causes him pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on March 13, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $185 to fund Atuhaire's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, "I like playing football."

56% funded

56%funded

$105raised

$80to go

Kyogabirwe is a 43-year-old mother with two children. Her husband is a fishmonger, while she is a small-scale farmer. Kyogabirwe has had lower abdominal pain for about three months. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian mass. It has been recommended that she undergo a cystectomy to treat the condition. Surgery has been scheduled for April 11. This procedure will improve her quality of life. Now, our medical partner is requesting $220 in funding. Kyogabirwe says, “I will have a better life after surgery and I continue with cultivation for the support to my family.”

9% funded

9%funded

$20raised

$200to go

Sum is a 70-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has twelve grandchildren and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Three months ago, Sum developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry and cloudy vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sum learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 18, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that after surgery, I am able to see more clearly and go back to the pagoda to join the ceremonies."

12% funded

12%funded

$50raised

$348to go