From Crash to Comeback: “FAME Saved My Life”
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.”
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.”
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!”
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 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.”
* 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.