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!

Cecilia

Cecilia* is a 38-year-old woman at FAME’s Outpatient Clinic (OPD), here for her post-surgery consultation. This post-operative check-up will assess her progress after the surgical procedure, address any concerns or complications that may have arisen and ensure that she is on track to a successful recovery. Nine days ago, Cecilia underwent a laparotomy, a surgical procedure to remove a large mass from her uterus.

“My lower abdomen had been hurting for over three months before my sister brought me to FAME. I was in pain all the time and my back hurt so much that I could not do my house chores anymore. I also had a fever and was warm to the touch. I visited a local clinic that could not diagnose the problem, but they prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic that they said was effective against a wide range of bacteria. Sadly, this did not work. When we arrived at FAME, the doctor performed a pelvic exam and ultrasound and said I needed emergency surgery to remove a growth in my uterus.”

— Cecilia

After a successful operation without significant complications or adverse effects, Cecilia’s pain is mostly gone and she is finally starting to feel better. She reports feeling weak and fatigued nine days post-op, but this is normal as the body recovers from the physical stress of the procedure. Her older sister, who accompanied her on this check-up, is nursing her back to health. 

“My sister makes sure that I follow all the doctor’s instructions, including attending all doctor follow-up appointments despite us living 86 miles from FAME! She provides me with proper post-operative care to promote healing and prevent complications by ensuring I eat a balanced diet. At the same time, she helps with all my chores at home to prevent me from doing strenuous activities. She has truly been godsent!”

— Cecilia

Cecilia poses with her sister at FAME’s Outpatient Clinic (OPD).

Cecilia is grateful to FAME for all the care she has received. 

“Without FAME, I would probably be dead by now! I am happy that my sister brought me here. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the professionalism and kindness of everyone I encountered, from the reception staff to the medical staff who provided my care. FAME’s facilities were clean and well-equipped and your commitment to providing top-notch medical services was evident in everything you did. This place has been a blessing to my family and me.”

— Cecilia

Since being designated a Level 1 District Hospital in 2020, FAME is seeing more and more complex cases requiring surgical intervention. Given the limited number of practicing surgeons in Tanzania, death rates in Tanzania remain high for common, easily treatable conditions like appendicitis, hernia, obstructed labor, bowel obstruction, and burns for lack of surgical capability. Access to safe and timely local surgical services remains critical for those in our catchment area. FAME is investing heavily in growing its surgical capabilities over the next five years to meet this need.

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share her photos and story with FAME supporters and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.