Humanity Directs Impact in Helping Children Access Life-Saving Brain Surgery
In Uganda, hydrocephalus, a devastating condition known as ‘water on the brain’, affects thousands of newborns and infants every year. Left untreated, it can cause severe brain damage, disability, or even death. Yet, with timely neurosurgery, hydrocephalus can often be successfully managed, offering children a chance at a full and healthy life.
However, in Uganda, access to this life-saving surgery remains out of reach for many. That’s where organisations like Humanity Direct step in, helping provide safe and timely life-saving surgery.
What is hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is a condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up, leading to an enlarged head and can cause vomiting, seizures, developmental delays, and in severe cases, death. In high-income countries, hydrocephalus is often detected early through routine prenatal and postnatal care, but in Uganda, diagnosis typically comes late, when the tell-tale sign of the enlarged head is prominent.
Why is hydrocephalus so common in Uganda?
Uganda has one of the highest rates of infant hydrocephalus in the world. An estimated 1,000 to 2,000 new cases occur each year. Several factors contribute to this high prevalence:
- Infections such as neonatal meningitis, often due to limited access to sterile birth environments and postnatal care.
- Birth trauma and complications during delivery.
- Limited prenatal screening which means early signs often go unnoticed.
- Lack of awareness and delayed referrals lead to worsened conditions by the time children reach hospitals.
Why is surgery for hydrocephalus so scarce?
The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical insertion of a shunt—a small tube placed in the brain to drain excess fluid to another part of the body where it can be absorbed.
However, these procedures require the expertise of a trained paediatric neurosurgeon, anaesthesia, sterile operating environments, and post-op care – all of which are scarce in many parts of Uganda.
For many Ugandan families, particularly in rural areas, the cost of neurosurgery is simply unaffordable. Even public hospitals, where surgery might be free in theory, often lack the equipment, specialists, or surgical supplies, and families will have to pay many ‘out-of-pocket’ costs.
Waiting lists are long, and the critical time window for intervention can close rapidly.
12 neurosurgeons for 45 million people
Currently, Uganda has only 12 neurosurgeons serving a population of approximately 45 million people. This translates to a ratio of about 1 neurosurgeon per 3 million people, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 1 neurosurgeon per 100,000 people. Children are often at the back of the queue for such surgery.
Hadijah’s Story
4-yr-old Hadijah was brought to the attention of one of our healthcare workers by her mum, who had been trying to get her daughter help after seeing Hadijah’s head swelling – a telltale sign of hydrocephalus.
The condition meant Hadijah was struggling to stand or walk, with her mum carrying her everywhere. However, unable to afford transport to reach a hospital and get the treatment Hadijah needed, Hadijah’s condition was getting worse.
Thankfully, donations meant we could afford to get Hadijah the operation she needed.
Neurosurgeon Dr Ssenyonjo performed Hadijah’s surgery to insert a shunt and drain the fluid from the brain. Hadijah made a good recovery and is expected to start going to school.
How we’re helping children get the neurosurgery they need
We’re incredibly privileged to work with Dr Ssenyonjo, one of the 12 neurosurgeons in Uganda. Dr Ssenyonjo, who has performed most, if not all, operations on our hydrocephalus patients, including Baby Shafik and Hadija.
Donations make these operations possible. From our health workers travelling to rural areas to bring children to the hospital, to the actual surgery, hospital stay, and post-op care, the donation covers it all.
What You Can Do
You don’t need to be a neurosurgeon to save a life. By donating to Humanity Direct, you can directly fund a child’s neurosurgery so they can have a healthy and bright future.
To cover the costs of a child’s surgery like Hadija’s, visit www.humanitydirect.org