Watsi

Success! Venesa from Kenya raised $1,151 to fund a Spina Bifida closure to she can grow up healthy.

100%

$1,151 raised, $0 to go

$1,151

raised

to go

Fully funded

Venesa's treatment was fully funded on February 8, 2023.

Venesa's story
Venesa's update

Photo of Venesa post-operation

February 13, 2023

Venesa underwent a Spina Bifida closure to she can grow up healthy.

Venesa’s surgery successful with no complications arising during and after the surgery. She stayed in the hospital for a few days and now is back home. When she is done with her post operation monitoring, she will be referred to the hospital’s mobile clinic team that will support her progress at home. This procedure will help reduce the risk of complications associated with spina bifida and her whole medical team hopes that she will achieve normal growth milestones with time.

Venesa’s mother says, “We are very much relieved that Venesa has been treated. Thank you.”

Venesa’s surgery successful with no complications arising during and after the surgery. She stayed in the hospital for a few days and now is...

September 12, 2022

Meet Venesa, a beautiful two year old girl. She was born at home with a swelling at the lower part of her back, and with legs that were not straight like other babies their family knew. The day after she was born, Venesa’s parents took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida and clubfoot. The family was advised to wait until Venesa turned nine months old, before having her undergo the surgery that she needs. Although surgery was deemed urgent, when Venesa was finally old enough, her parents couldn’t afford to pay for it. Then, about a year ago, Venesa was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Venesa’s mom shared that shortly after this last diagnosis, Venesa’s father abandoned the family and is not involved in helping support them any more.

Venesa’s mother used to work at a salon, but after Venesa’s birth, she has been unable to work. They are now living with Venesa’s grandmother, who does what she can to help.

Without surgery for her spina bifida, Venesa risks paralysis of her lower limbs, infection of the exposed nerve tissue, and developmental delays.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Venesa’s spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 14th, at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Venesa from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to experience a strong and healthy life.

Venesa’s mother says: “Since she was born, I have no peace knowing that I can’t afford her treatment.”

Meet Venesa, a beautiful two year old girl. She was born at home with a swelling at the lower part of her back, and with legs that were not ...

Submitted by

Learn more

Venesa's case was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria at African Mission Healthcare.

Venesa's Timeline

September 12, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Venesa was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
September 17, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Venesa's profile was published to start raising funds.
October 5, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Venesa 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.
February 8, 2023
FULLY FUNDED
Venesa's treatment was fully funded.
February 13, 2023
TREATMENT UPDATE
Venesa's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Venesa's story

Funded by 28 donors

Funded by 28 donors

Treatment

Spina Bifida Closure

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $1,151 for Venesa's treatment

Hospital Fees

$889

Medical Staff

Medication

$82

Supplies

Labs

$126

Other

$54

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

The patient has a mass or lesion on the back that leaks cerebral spinal fluid, which puts him or her at risk of infection.

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

Spina bifida can cause incontinence, bladder and kidney damage, and paralysis and numbness in the lower limbs, bladder, and sphincter. It can also lead to hydrocephalus as a result of disturbance to the fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus can lead to cognitive dysfunction, blindness, and death.

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

Spina bifida is more common in developing countries due to improper and inadequate nutrition. Foods containing folic acid are scarce, and food is not fortified. In Kenya, however, the Ministry of Health has recently started a program to give expectant mothers folic acid for free at government facilities.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

After surgery, the patient's hospital stay ranges from two days to three weeks. The length of stay depends on the healing rate of the wound and will be extended if the patient also undergoes a shunt insertion to treat hydrocephalus. However, shunt insertions are usually performed about one month after this surgery. The patient is continually monitored. If the wound heals and the patient is in a neurologically stable condition, the surgery is considered successful.

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

Surgery performed within the first days of a child’s life prevents infection and saves the spine and brain from further damage. Early surgery also minimizes the risk of paralysis. Later treatment may save the child's life and prevent further damage.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This surgery is moderately risky, and complications depend on the severity of the case.

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 spina bifida is often unavailable.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Surgery is the primary option for most types of spina bifida.

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Hana is a cute and happy baby who loves playing with toys and interacting with the people around her. Her favorite foods are porridge with bread and pasta. She is the only child of her parents. Her mother used to sell candles at church gates, and her father is in the military, though he currently has no contact with the family. Last year, Hana started refusing her mother’s milk, and her abdomen began to swell. Her mother was extremely concerned about her baby's condition and immediately took Hana to the clinic. Hana was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's Disease, a condition in which missing nerve cells in the large intestine cause intestinal blockage. Further referrals led her to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, who will help Hana and her mother with a treatment plan. Now, African Mission Healthcare is asking for $1,500 to help fund Hana's Hirschsprung's pull-through surgery scheduled for March 16th. Hana's mother said, “After her surgery, I want her to be well and to grow healthy. I will send her to school. I will try my best to give her a better life, and I don’t want her to suffer as I did. I hope she will be wise and independent in her future.”