Gloria

When 30-year-old Gloria got pregnant for the fourth time, she was extremely cautious. Despite being born healthy and full-term, her third baby died a week after birth. The doctor at the clinic where she gave birth did not explain why and she still doesn't know what caused her child's death. 

When she fell pregnant several years later, Gloria was fearful that history would repeat itself.

“With my previous pregnancies, I have always been ecstatic when I found out, but this time I was just scared. A friend told me of her niece who had twins at FAME and she had had a good experience and asked me to try it out. So I went to the Reproductive Health Clinic (RCH), where I started my prenatal classes. The staff at RCH reassured me and supported me so much that I started to be hopeful this child would survive.”

— Gloria

The pregnancy was going well, but sadly at 31 weeks, Gloria suffered sudden sharp lower abdominal pains, bleeding and a splitting headache. 

Gloria’s baby in FAME’s Special Care Nursery (SCN).

“The pain felt like labor pains. I have given birth naturally three times, so I’m familiar with that pain! I called my husband and told him the baby was coming and we needed to rush to FAME.”

— Gloria

Gloria’s husband could not afford a taxi and they live 80 miles from FAME. So they took a public bus to Karatu and a Bajaji (Autorickshaw) brought them to FAME.

“I was in so much pain and was crying when we boarded the bus; luckily, the other passengers were very kind. They offered me water and snacks, but I couldn’t keep anything down.”

— Gloria

Maternity Nurse, Nuru Shaban Alute, watches the baby closely and makes sure he’s alright.

Gloria was diagnosed with placental abruption after an ultrasound and lab tests at FAME. This serious medical condition happens when the placenta detaches from the uterus wall, causing bleeding and potentially depriving the fetus of oxygen and nutrients. The doctors recommended an emergency C-section to deliver the baby quickly. 

“The doctors counseled my husband and provided much information about my condition. Essentially, placental abruption can be life-threatening to both the baby and me. The emergency C-section was necessary to reduce the risk of further harm to myself and the baby. After this, my husband and I were confident in our decision to proceed with the surgery.”

— Gloria

Gloria’s C-section went well and she delivered a baby boy weighing 3.2 lbs. The baby was taken to FAME’s Special Care Nursery (SCN) and put on a C-PAP machine, which helps premature babies who have difficulty breathing.

“When I woke up from surgery, I immediately asked about the baby. I’ve never seen a baby that small! He had to be put in an incubator to keep him warm.”

— Gloria

After four days at FAME’s SCN, the baby was clinically stable with normal vital signs and was slowly gaining weight.

“I am happy! I am thankful! Without FAME, I don’t think my baby would have survived. The hospital close to my home has no incubator for these tiny babies, so I am not sure how they would have been able to save him. I don’t know how long he will be here, but I will follow the doctors’ advice. I look forward to the day I can take him home and introduce him to his siblings. They have always asked for a little brother and finally, FAME has helped me provide one for them!”

— Gloria

* The patient’s name has been changed to protect their privacy and permission was secured to share their story. The quotes have been translated from Kiswahili to English.

Sophie

Imagine traveling 560 miles to access quality medical care. Imagine how challenging that can be, especially if you are sick and in pain. Imagine how the long travel times can exacerbate the symptoms and discomfort of your illness, leading to further health complications. 

This was the case of Sophia, who, together with her brother-in-law, Mali and his father, came to FAME this week. The trio comes from a village in Sanjo in northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border. 

Sophie has been sick for a couple of months. She says her headaches are worsening and she's having bouts of fever. She's visited her local clinics, but there has been no diagnosis. She has also ventured into the neighboring country, Kenya, visiting Narok, a town in the southern part of the great rift valley, to seek medical help for her headaches. All with no success.

“I have spent all my savings in the last few months trying to get a diagnosis for my condition to no avail. The hopelessness about the lack of diagnosis and treatment weighed heavily on me. I am a mother of ten, so I’m always busy with my children, but lately, I haven’t been able to care for them. My friends have had to chip in and help.”

— Sophie

When her father-in-law fell sick and Mali decided to bring him to FAME, Sophie begged him to let her join. 

“I came to FAME years ago and had good results, so when I got sick again, I wanted to return but couldn’t. It’s such a long journey from home, which I cannot make alone as a woman. First, it’s an overnight trip, as by the time we get to Karatu 12 hours later, it’s already evening and we have to spend the night in Karatu and see the doctor in the morning. Spending a night in a foreign place is too scary for me to do alone and my husband would definitely disapprove! So I was happy to be able to accompany his family here.”

— Sophie

Mali first came to FAME years ago when he had a neurological disorder. 

Mali

“Someone in my church mentioned that FAME had good doctors, affordable healthcare and treated many complicated diseases. So I decided to come here. At FAME, I met the neuro team [led by Dr. Michael Rubenstein], who treated my symptoms and restored my daily functioning. From this treatment, my symptoms improved and finally went away entirely. This was six years ago and I have been okay since then!”

— Mali

Mali explains that he has returned to FAME five times since, not including the number of times he has brought his relatives and family for medical attention. 

“FAME is very far from our village. We come here because this kind of quality, affordable healthcare is unavailable to us where we live. To access it, we have to make a long journey. It’s a full-day trip and we take three buses to get here, so it’s not the easiest of journeys. It is an expensive trip for us as sometimes we use a lot of money usually saved for the home. However, it’s worth it. Once you have been to FAME, you are cured and can return to work!”

— Mali

Today Mali is bringing his 75-year-old father to FAME. He has been suffering from a stomach infection for two months. He has sought medical help close to home, but his condition has worsened. This is the first time that Mali’s father has been to FAME. 

Sophie (left) poses with her Father-In-Law (center) and her Brother-In Law (right) at FAME’s Outpatient Department (OPD).

“I have told Mzee [father] that the machines at FAME will see inside his stomach and show what is wrong!”

— Mali

“I have heard good things about FAME from my son and other villagers. That’s why I agreed to come here. It’s a long journey and I’m old and not as strong as I used to be, so it does take a toll on my body. My son assures me that the doctors here will find out what’s wrong and cure it. That would make me very happy.”

— Mali's Father

Sophia was pleasantly surprised when she saw the doctor.

“I have seen the doctor, who has treated me for the headaches and fever. He is optimistic that this treatment will work. He has asked about the swelling on my face, which I have had for many years. I told him that it had been operated on thrice but kept growing back. He has asked me to come back at the end of the month and talk to the surgeon, who will determine whether anything can be done about it. I’m happy because the doctor asked me about it, despite my not mentioning it. I have had so many failed operations and false diagnoses that I resigned myself to my fate, that this swelling would be on my face forever, but the doctor has given me hope! Even if nothing comes from the appointment with the surgeon, knowing someone cared enough to help is amazing!”

— Sophie

“FAME was definitely worth the long trip. It might be far from us, but at least it is here. And it is helping us!”

— Sophie

* The patients’ names have been changed to protect their privacy, and permission was secured to share their stories. The quotes have been translated from Kiswahili to English.

John

John* is a 32-year-old construction worker who lives six miles from FAME. Early last year, his business was booming, having finally recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to widespread business closures. With profit coming in again, John bought a motorcycle to help him commute between work and home. More affordable than a car, John also found that commuting by motorcycle was convenient, efficient and enjoyable. 

A few months later, John was involved in a gruesome accident involving his motorcycle. On his way home from work, John had a head-on collision with another motorcycle. He hit his head on the tarmac and lost consciousness. John was not wearing a helmet or any other protective gear. 

“After the accident, I don’t remember anything. My parents told me that I was rushed to a local hospital which referred me to FAME. They said my condition was so critical they could not handle it, but FAME would have the equipment and expertise to handle my case. So they brought me here.”

— John

The equipment the local hospital was referring to was a CT scan machine. A CT scan is important in diagnosing head trauma by providing detailed images of the brain and surrounding tissues. This allows for accurate early diagnosis and treatment, improving outcomes and reducing the risk of long-term complications. FAME’s CT scan machine is the only one within a 75-mile radius. 

John had extensive head injuries and was bleeding from his head, ears and nose. He broke his legs, one with a closed fracture and the other with an open wound. The CT scan showed that he had an epidural hematoma, a brain injury that occurs when blood collects outside the brain. It was caused by a blow to his head from the accident. Treatment involved an emergency surgery, called a craniotomy, to remove the hematoma and relieve the pressure on the brain, preventing further brain damage. 

John (in wheelchair) poses with Nurse Derick Ndanzi (left), Dr. Adam Likiliwike (center) and Radiologist Head Onaely Mullumba (right).

“At this point, the head was more of an emergency than the broken legs. The epidural hematoma, if left untreated, could lead to serious and potentially life-threatening consequences, including brain damage and a decline in brain function. So we rushed him into surgery.”

— Dr. Leonard

The surgery was a success and John spent three weeks recovering at FAME. During this time, the doctors put Plaster of Paris, a white powder used to make casts on broken bones, on his leg with the closed fracture. Due to the open wound on the other broken leg, the doctors could not use the Plaster of Paris and needed an external fixator. This is a device used to stabilize a broken bone in the leg. It consists of metal rods or pins inserted into the bone and then connected to a metal frame that sits outside the body. The metal frame is adjusted to hold the broken bone in place while it heals. FAME does not have an external fixator, so John had to be referred to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi, 165 miles away. KCMC is the referral hospital for the northern zone of Tanzania.

“That operation at FAME saved my life! When I went to KCMC, my only problem was one of my legs; FAME had treated everything else! I had my mind back and I could finally remember things!”

— John

After eight weeks, John’s external fixator is ready to be removed. FAME’s Dr. Leonard can remove it, saving him another long trip to Moshi.

“I could not afford to make another long trip to Moshi, as it is expensive and I had spent all my savings going there the first time. I am happy that FAME was able to help not only with my head injury right after the accident but also with the removal of the external fixator. I would have died or lost my leg without FAME! With my head injury, there is no way I would have made it 165 miles to KCMC.”

— John

John after Dr. Leonard removed the external fixator from his leg. “I’m very happy” he said

“I can never repay what FAME has done for me. FAME saved my life! I’m thankful to all the doctors and nurses who helped me. The FAME team consulted my parents and made medical decisions on my behalf when I was incapacitated, leaving my parents feeling involved and respected the whole time. I am now getting better and can walk short distances. I’m looking forward to returning to work soon.”

— John

* The patient’s name has been changed to protect their privacy and permission was secured to share their story. The quotes have been translated from Kiswahili to English.

Love is in the air at FAME! 

Happy Valentine’s Day to our FAME family! 

On this day to celebrate love, FAME wanted to show a little extra appreciation and gratitude to our staff and patients by bringing them some love and joy to make their day brighter!

Whatever your plans this Valentine's Day, consider spreading love to Tanzania's rural and underserved communities, who struggle with limited or no access to quality healthcare. 

By donating in the name of love, you can help make a positive impact in the lives of the 30,000 patients treated at FAME every year. Every gift makes a difference! Donate here

Pictured: FAME’s Social Worker, Angel Obeid, walked around the hospital spreading love to our patients and staff!

Mzee Lemama

“My name is Lemama** and I am 62 years old. Six years ago, I was involved in a horrible road accident that left me with a huge wound on my right leg. I was rushed to a local hospital, where I spent 90 days as the doctors worked to save my leg. Finally, they told me that since I was not diabetic and yet the wound on my leg kept getting worse, they had no choice but to amputate my leg above the knee. 

I had sold everything to be able to afford my medical bills. I sold a piece of land I inherited from my father that was to go to my sons; I sold my cows and my goats. A leg amputation would significantly impact my ability to earn a living and support myself and my family, as I often rely on manual labor for my livelihood. It would resort to financial hardship until my death. 

Scared, I asked the doctors to give me a few days to think about it. They warned me that delayed amputation could lead to further complications. I talked to my wife about it and she suggested going to Arusha, 90 miles away, for a second opinion. But I couldn’t afford it. 

The local chairman heard about my situation and gifted me some money, but I needed more to cover my expenses to Arusha. So, I started looking for a hospital close to me and that’s when I learned about FAME. At this point, I felt hopeless and struggled to see a positive future. 

When I got to FAME and saw the doctor, I cried. I asked him to save my leg. After much research and consultation with his colleagues, he told me that it was possible to save the leg by doing skin grafting [skin grafting is a surgical procedure in which skin is removed from one part of the body and transplanted to another area, typically to repair a wound. In Lemama’s case, the skin was grafted from his thighs]. I saw the hand of God through FAME that day.

After the successful operation, it was a long road to recovery, but I didn’t mind because I got to keep my leg and FAME was with me all the way. FAME’s doctors, nurses and support staff showed me care and compassion every time I came for a check-up.”

“FAME continues to play a vital role in improving the quality of life in this community. It has made us self-sufficient; we don’t have to rely on hospitals miles away when we need critical healthcare. With FAME in reach of where I live, my community has experienced improved health outcomes and fewer illnesses and deaths that can be prevented.”

— Mzee Lemama

"I am so grateful to FAME for all you’ve done and continue to do for our community. Your hard work and dedication make a difference in many people's lives! Thank You.”

* The interview has been translated from Kiswahili to English.
**The patient’s name has been changed to protect their privacy.

Mzee Lemama’s joy was clear during the interview!