Serving children with surgical needs in Uganda
INTRODUCTION
“The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.”
Dr. Paul Farmer
Children in Uganda often do not have access to essential surgeries which can effect their entire lives. Our goal is to get these children the care they need. Here’s a video that will help transport you into their work.
MEET SHAMIM
Shamim is a 3-year-old girl in Uganda who was born with double clubfoot, causing pain and disability. She lives in the Kaliro District, 4 hours away from our clinic in Jinja. They use bodas (small motorcycles) and public transit (small taxi vans) to come to town. She lives with both parents and is the 10th born out of 18 children. They are peasants and survive on what they can grow.
With your help, we can get her the life-changing surgery she needs to get her walking, running and playing, and later in life, she will walk without difficulty.
Keep checking back for more updates on Shamim.
Monday, August 13 – Shamim’s parents were informed that Givesome Givers will raise funds for her surgery. She has an appointment at the clinic for Wednesday, August 15.
Wednesday, August 15 – Shamim and her father came to the clinic to be assessed by Dr. Moses. She presented as a shy girl. Her favourite food is sweet potatoes and fish, and her favourite colour is blue.
Her father consented to treatment, saying he wants her to be able to wear shoes, walk to school with her friends and be able to do other activities without difficulty.
Diagnosis: Bilateral clubfoot
Medical History: Shamim has contracted malaria and suffers recurrent attacks of chills and fever.
Treatment Plan: Shamim will receive four rounds of casting over the next 3-4 weeks to align her feet in preparation for surgical soft tissue release and tendon lengthening. She will wear braces while she recovers from the surgery.
Today’s Procedure: Dr. Moses did some manipulation of her feet and put them into casts.
Next Steps: She will come back for review and another round of casting on August 21st.
August 28: Yesterday Shamim came in for re-castings. It is the same procedure as the first one but with a slightly more corrected foot position. The young kids do not like this part of the treatment because they get scared but the parent can understand better why there is a need for the casts.
September 7: Shamim came in today for her recasting. She had her feet manipulated to position them in a more anatomically correct position and then casted to keep them in the improved position. Once they’ve determined they’ve got the feet as close to 90 degrees as they can get they will book the surgery. The staff are talking with the surgeon to determine when her operation will be.
