Club News
Added on April 23, 2007
Our 'Spina Bifida' Project - Rotary in Action!
RCN project Update
An RCN Matching Grant in association with the RC of Cataraqui-Kingston and Bethany Relief and Rehabilitation International
Saturday, April 21, 2007 saw the official
inauguration of RCN's newest and largest
matching grant, which will provide $70,000
for the surgery of needy children with spina
bifida.
The event took place at Kijabe Hospital outside Nairobi and included
a visit to the BethanyKids facility, arguably the
largest centre in Africa dedicated to the
surgical rehabilitation of children. Attending Rotarians and guests saw the
first children operated through the grant, and heard edifying words from representatives
of both our club and the partner club in Ontario
. The national media was also present.
Snacks and fellowship concluded
this memorable event.
What is this project all about?
Many people in our world have disabilities.When you consider the tremendous burdens born by those who are disabled, you can be overwhelmed by statistics. Between 3% and 10% of people in the world today suffer from some form of disability. Many children and adults with such challenges can see significant improvement to their conditions with just a little help.
What is Spina Bifida?
Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect. according to the Neurosurgical Society of Kenya, over four hundred babies are born with spina bifida in Kenya every year.
Because of the paralysis resulting from the damage to the spinal cord, spina ifida patients may need surgeries and other extensive medical care. The condition can cause both bowel and bladder complications. A large percentage of spina bifida patients also suffer from hydrocephalus; the accumulation of fluid in the brain, which makes the head to grow abnormally large. A surgical procedure called “shunting” is usually used to relieve the fluid build up in the brain by redirecting it into the abdominal area.
The Challenge
Most newborns in Kenya with spina bifida can not access healthcare immediately because of the lack of health facilities, funds and qualified health workers equipped with the skills of caring for babies with these defects. Often times parents of children affected by spina bifida are asked to take their child back home because there is little the health workers can do.
Treatment
BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital located in Central province of Kenya is a special facility dedicated to the care of children born with neural tube defects among others. The facility provides many mobile clinics throughout the country, ncluding both Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps located in north and eastern parts of Kenya. It is during these clinics that patients are assessed. Those requiring advanced medical care will be scheduled for surgery in Kijabe. As a result of early and proper medical treatment most children born with Spina bifida may live well into adulthood.
Rotary in action!
- Given its network of mobile clinics, BethanyKids needed a suitable vehicle! After more than 3 years of effort, the Rotary Clubs of Kingston, Canada and Nairobi, Kenya partnered to made that a reality, purchasing a brand-new Toyota Landcruiser ambulance, in 2006!
- The Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston, assisted by many other Rotary clubs and Rotarians in Ontario, Quebec and New York State have established a Rotary matching grant project with the Rotary Club of Nairobi, Kenya and The Rotary Foundation, to raise funds to ensure that corrective surgery is available to spina bifida patients in Kenya. This work will be coordinated through Dr Dan Poenaru, a Canadian pediatric surgeon, a member of Bethany Relief and Rehabilitation International, and a Rotarian, presently living and working in Kijabe.
For more information about this project, please contact Rtn. Dan Poenaru or Rtn. Nick Hutchinson.
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