25 Percent Of Mothers With Children Suffering From Hydrocephalus And Spina Bifida In Tanzania Are Abandoned By Husbands

 By Valentine Oforo, Dodoma 

TWENTY FIVE percent of mothers who give birth to childrens with hydrocephlus and Spina bifida conditions are often being abandoned by their husbands, or co-parents, it has been unveiled.

According to experts, Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth while Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain.

Ms. Suma Mwaipopo is the Director of the Association of Parents with Children with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida.

In her audience with members of the press in Dodoma Capital City yesterday, she disclosed that parents (mothers) with children with the said curable diseases across the country are facing serious challenges, including being abandoned by their husbands. 

“The parents (mothers) who lives with children suffering from Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida are encountering diverse life agonies as most are being abandoned by their husbands and co- parents thus, remaining at a 'life-dilemma' without having enough financial muscles to take their children to hospitals, or giving them necessary amenities, " Mwaipopo observed. 

"It is disconcerting" she added: " More than 25 percent of mothers who gives birth to childrens with hydrocephlus and Spina bifida in Tanzania have been dumped by the fathers of the children,"

With an eye to help repair the situation,  Mwaipopo said they have decided to initiate the hepful association as a tailor made podium to help voicing the voiceless voices of the hapless mothers in question. 

"I would like to appeal to the government as well as companies in the private sector and all individual well wishers to serve our source so that we can stand a better side to assist the deprived mothers," she appealled.

Mwaipopo moreover added that treatments for such diseases was costfull and majority of mothers with children under such category were not with financial capability to afford.

Since its inception,  she said the association has so far managed to assist  a total of 12,000 children with the conditions, observed that urgent efforts were needed to help others. 

"Despite with limit financial resources, we have constructed two houses in Dar es Salaam, specifically for sheltering the parents that are going to the city from different Regions in search of medical services for their children. 

"We're currently working within 11 regions across the country, and now we have registered a total of 7,000 members, and among others, the major vision behind our association is to support the children to get needed treatments, but also, to support them (the children with hydrocephlus and Spina bifida) to get health insurances," she further detailed. 

In Tanzania, more than 5,000 children are born with spina bifida and / or hydrocephalus each year, and many of them do not receive the medical care and support they need. The reasons are several, including lack of resources, knowledge and awareness as well as stigmatization of people with disabilities.

Out of every 1000 children born, 2 or 3 are born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus worldwide. 

In Tanzania alone, approximately 4,000 children are born with this condition every year.