Her chronic deformity on the left foot, which has developed since childhood, could be on the way out after undergoing an operation by doctors from the US-based Steps2Walk
Arusha. Agnes Thomas, 17, was full of smiles yesterday in her bed at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC), not necessarily because of getting visitors.
Her chronic deformity on the left foot, which has developed since childhood, could be on the way out after undergoing an operation.
The student of Sombetini Secondary School in Arusha afforded a smile to journalists who visited her at the ward where she and others were hospitalised.
“I was in severe pain yesterday (Tuesday) during the operation. I am a bit comfortable today,” she said, a broad smile radiating on her face. Agnes is one of about 20 people suffering from complex ankle and foot deformities admitted to the Arusha medical facility for operation and treatment.
That is thanks to a medical charity from the United States called Steps2Walk, which has deployed four specialist surgeons for the exercise.
The international humanitarian organisation focuses on providing surgical solutions in underserved regions around the world.’
Agnes is a beneficiary of surgical operations that started on Monday and were expected to end yesterday (Wednesday) at the church-owned hospital.
“For many years, I could not walk comfortably because of the deformity. Going to school was difficult and I often had to use rickshaws or commuter buses,” she said.
Her hopes were raised when she heard that doctors would be coming from the US to carry out operations at ALMC.
After the operation that took two hours, she is confident she will be able to walk properly, end the terrible pains and resume classes.
Her mother, Ms Nasinyari Elias, was beside her bed yesterday.
She said sometimes Agnes, now in Form One, found difficulty putting on shoes.
“She could only manage to put on Yebo Yebo [the flip-flop slippers, which are mainly popular with youngsters]. At times she could not go to school,” she said.
ALMC executive director, Dr Goodwill Kivuyo, said a total of 40 children and a few adults suffering from the deformities have been examined.
Twenty of them were selected for surgeries and until Tuesday, nine of them had been operated on, with the reminder expected to be operated on yesterday.
“We targeted those with complicated ankle and foot deformities. They include those born with ‘Clubfoot,’” he told journalists.
Clubfoot is a congenital foot abnormality, mainly affecting children, that twists the foot out of shape or position.
This is largely because in clubfoot, the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual.
The medical clinic has been organized by the former cabinet minister and MP for Singida North, Lazaro Nyalandu, who lauded the American charity for the offer.
“Here we have one of the leading orthopaedic surgeons in the world,” he said, speaking of Dr Mark Myerson from Steps2Walk.
The medical specialist is reckoned to have performed surgeries on more than 1,700 people with severe foot and ankle deformities around the world.
He has also trained hundreds of local surgeons across 24 countries, many of whom have limited resources when it comes to orthopaedic care.
He said the charity was operating in 19 countries, treating kids and adults “with terrible foot deformities.”
Dr Myerson added that Tanzania was not spared by the challenge but appreciated that the government was supportive in the drive to tame the deformities.
Among the visiting surgeons was Dr Steve Meyer, who, in August last year, led a team of 60 specialist doctors from the US who were here to undertake joint replacement surgeries for people suffering from arthritis.
The surgeries will be offered free of charge courtesy of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ‘Samia Love’ initiative, which targets health services for those who cannot afford them.
The exercise was also coordinated by Mr Nyalandu and targeted patients from poor families “who cannot afford to pay medical bills.”
