A Non-Governmental Organization, Friends of
Children with Cancer Tanzania (FoCC) in collaboration with Muhimbili
Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) will for the first time in Tanzania tomorrow
conduct surgery en masse on 50 children suffering from hydrocephalus condition.
Hydrocephalus which means “water in the brain” is a
condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the skull causing brain to swell.
The swelling from fluid buildup that mainly occurs in
children and adults over the age of 60 may lead to physical, brain and
intellectual impairments in its advanced stage.
But Director of MOI, Dr Othman Kiloloma told the press in
Dar es Salaam yesterday that it was common in Tanzania for children born with
hydrocephalus to be either kept away from the public or killed by their parents
due to ignorance and superstitious beliefs.
“Most of the hydrocephalus children in the country are
killed or hidden by their families due to cultural misconceptions… their
parents or relatives kill them immediately,” he said, adding that while about
4,800 cases are born in the country every year only 400 are sent to MOI for
treatment.
He decried the killing and harboring of young patients of
the otherwise curable disease, urging parents to send the kids to hospital
immediately as signs of impairment are noticed in them.
But he cited lack of education and awareness among the
parents as a serious setback for the public to respond to his call.
He mentioned major cause of the problem as the absence of
folic acid found in greens and potatoes among expectant mothers.
“Consumption of sweet potatoes, cassava and vegetables or
folic acid vitamins is essential to expectant mothers in order to mould a
healthy child free from diseases like hydrocephalus,” he noted.
Hydrocephalus is excessive fluid in brain which causes
much pressure to the extent of damaging brain tissues. In humans, it happens
when the neuro tube defect fails to develop properly after three weeks of
pregnancy, causing too poor production of brain cells to provide space that is
filled with water.
FoCC Director Janeth Manoni said her team had extended
support to the sick children so as to enable them realize their future dreams
and help fight against public stigma typically imposed on kids and their
families.
“These children need support from family to community
level as they have physical disabilities. They need support to carry out their
daily duties,” she said
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